The influence of Theosophy on Mondrian's neoplastic work

Abstract

(ENG)The influence of Theosophy in the symbolist painting of Mondrian (1908-1911) has been
unanimously recognized. There is not, however, the same consensus with respect to the influence of
theosophy in his neoplastic period.
There is a relationship between Mondrian’s theoretical writing and his practical work, but no
proportionality. Mondrian’s theoretical discourse is not limited to painting and touches on other arts and
disciplines (architecture, urbanism). Mondrian will define a complex – philosophical? – system whose
final goal will be to completely transform the human visual environment. That is to say that the area
covered by his theoretical discourse widely exceeds that of his practical activity (painting).
The goal of this article is to try to delimit the scope of Theosophy’s influence on Mondrian’s work
during his neoplastic period, in his theoretical writing and in his practical production.

(SPA)La influencia de la teosofía en la pintura simbolista de Mondrian (1908-1911) es unánimemente reconocida. No existe el mismo consenso respecto a la influencia de la teosofía durante su periodo neoplástico. Existe relación entre los escritos teóricos de Mondrian y su obra práctica, pero no proporcionalidad. El discurso teórico de Mondrian no se limita a la pintura, sino que alcanza a otras artes y disciplinas (la arquitectura, la ciudad). Mondrian va a definir un complejo sistema -¿filosófico?- cuyo objetivo final será la transformación de todo el entorno visual del ser humano. Es decir, el ámbito de su discurso teórico supera ampliamente el de su actividad práctica (la pintura). El objetivo de este artículo es el de tratar de acotar el alcance de la influencia de la teosofía en la obra de Mondrian de su periodo neoplástico, tanto en sus escritos teóricos como en su pintura.