# data[].attributes.body
De Stijl was a controversial yet important art movement. It defied the traditional art beliefs of what art is and proved that good art can be made by using the basic art elements and principles. Personally, I find intricate artworks more engaging then the basic De Stijl artworks, however, I do like De Stijl architecture as it differs from the same boring, plain buildings and provides a cheerful, wacky vibe for people walking by. Overall, I believe the De Stijl Movement was of great significance because even though the artworks were not as visually appealing, the meaning behind it that art can be achieved through simplicity positively impacted artists

# data[].attributes.headline
Theo van Doesburg's 'Arithmetic Composition'. 1929. Oil on canvas. 1.01 m x 1.01 m.

# data[].attributes.subject
Theo van Doesburg's 'Arithmetic Composition'. 1929. Oil on canvas. 1.01 m x 1.01 m.

# data[].attributes.body
'Arithmetic Composition' was the last major artwork van Doesburg created before he died in 1931.
Describe: This artwork consists of 4 black squares positioned in a diagonal configuration. The squares decrease in size from the right foreground to the left back corner. When going left to right, each square is approximately 4x the size of the previous square. The background appears to be different shades of a cream colour. However, this is just an assumption as the background may have been white but has discoloured over time. The artwork also has backward "L" shaped lines sectioning off each square.
Analyse: The art elements in this artwork are shape, line, colour and space. Shape is "a closed contour, or a defined area" (E). The black is enclosed by lines which creates a 2D square which gradates. A backward "L" shaped line is also seen along the bottom corners of each box. It can be argued whether there is two or more colours in this artwork. It is definite that black is a colour in the artwork, but whether the background was once white, cream or different shades is indefinite. Van Doesburg has used the art element of space in this artwork to achieve depth and balance.
Evaluate: The backward "L" shaped lines not only divide each square but also act like arrows directing the viewers eyes to the largest square. In addition, the biggest "L" shaped line looks to be the same size as the biggest square, and the smaller "L" shaped line looks as though the second biggest square could fit in it. The diagonal position of the squares captures the viewers attention more then if the squares were positioned normally because it enhances the illusion that the sqaures are either fading into the distance or projecting towards the viewers.
Interpret: The "Arithmetic Composition" is an abstract artwork and therefore does not depict reality. It is more a statement to traditional artists that art can be just as engaging using basic shapes and the main art elements and principles.

# data[].attributes.headline
Theo van Doesburg's 'Composition VII' (The Three Graces). 1917. Oil on canvas. 85 cm x 85 cm.

# data[].attributes.subject
Theo van Doesburg's 'Composition VII' (The Three Graces). 1917. Oil on canvas. 85 cm x 85 cm.

# data[].attributes.body
'Composition VII' is one of Van Doesburg's most well known abstract artworks that helped shape the De Stijl movement.
Describe: His artwork shows a total of 28 coloured rectangles and squares. Van Doesburg has only used the colours white, blue, red and yellow. The background is all black. The shapes appear to be placed randomly as some are vertical and some are horizontal in no specific pattern. No shapes overlap or intersect each other.
Analyse: The art elements used to create the above artwork include shape, colour, value and space. The vertices and horizontals of the shapes influence the viewers eyes to move up, down or side to side. Colour and value coincide with each other as primary colours, with the addition of black and white are used and the lightest value is white and the darkest is black. Van Doesburg has taken up most of the space on the canvas as the shapes are placed everywhere.

Evaluate: The black background emphasises the primary coloured shapes. The shapes are intriguing because coming from an era where everything in an artwork had a purpose a viewer studies this artwork and tries to find a pattern, but it is abstract art so it is non-representational.
Interpret: 'Composition VII' was controversial at the time because it wasn't all about complex techniques and the aesthetic but more about creating art that was a universal visual language that could be understood by all.

# data[].attributes.body
The group wanted to revolutionize art after World War 1 and bring art back to its essence of line and colour through abstraction and simplicity. The characteristics of De Stijl art include primary colours, black, white and the "geometry of horizontals and verticles". (D)
In addition, De Stijl artworks emphasised harmony and balance to show the groups abhorrence of chaos and conflict raging around them.

# data[].attributes.body
Composition A. 1923. Oil on Canvas.

# data[].attributes.body
Red Blue Chair. 1918. Lacquered Beech Wood.

# data[].attributes.body
A) The Art Story. (2017). Modern Art. Accessed online: May 5th, 2017. http://www.theartstory.org/definition-modern-art.htm

B) Phaidon. (2017). The Hague goes De Stijl for centenary celebrations. Accessed online: May 5th, 2017. http://au.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2017/february/07/the-hague-goes-de-stijl-for-centenary-celebrations/

C) Pinterest. (2017). Yves Saint Laurent. Accessed online: May 6th, 2017. https://au.pinterest.com/pin/176484879123179716/

D) Wikipedia. (2017). De Stijl. Accessed online: May 6th, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Stijl

E) Madden, A, 2017. What are the seven elements of art?-Definition & Examples. Study.com. Accessed online: June 9th, 2017. http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-the-seven-elements-of-art-definition-examples.html

# data[].attributes.body
Pronounced duh stahyl,  meaning 'The Style' in Dutch, established in Amsterdam in 1917-1931 by Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian. Other members of the De Stijl movement included painters, poets, writers and architects. Each member of De Stijl movement had a different artistic expertise, which helped differ De Stijl from other art movements as their art was reflected in paintings, furniture, architecture, and fashion.

# data[].attributes.body
Other art movements that resulted from Modernism include Cubism, Expressionism, Futurism, Impressionism and De Stijl

# data[].attributes.body
Modern art is the creative world's response to the rationalist practices and perspectives of the new lives and ideas provided by the technological advances of the industrial age that caused contemporary society to manifest itself in new ways compared to the past. Artists worked to represent their experience of the newness of modern life in appropriately innovative ways. (A) In other words, it was the rejection of traditional art.