The Art Journal

A privileged insight into the Piet Mondrian Conservation Project carried out by the art experts at Fondation Beyeler, under the patronage of La Prairie.

DECODING
MONDRIAN
Scroll to explore

La Prairie and Art

FONDATION BEYELER

Mondrian's Masterpieces

Discover the four iconic artworks from the Piet Mondrian Conservation Project

MONDRIAN'S LEGACY

Uncovering the impact of Mondrian's aesthetic on art and culture
"The truly modern artist is aware of abstraction in an emotion of beauty.”

EXPLORE THE PIET MONDRIAN CONSERVATION PROJECT

EPISODE 7

DECODING MONDRIAN

07

In the second year of the Piet Mondrian Conservation Project, the conservators at Fondation Beyeler take a closer look at the details on four Mondrian masterpieces. Using advance technology and methods, compelling discoveries emerge, shining a new light on the artworks created by the master of abstraction.

EPISODE 6

ANALYZING TABLEAU NO. I

06

The conservator at Fondation Beyeler discusses the artistic process behind Mondrian's painting. Each new discovery contributes to the efforts of preserving the masterpiece for future generations to come.

EPISODE 5

THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMPOSITION WITH YELLOW AND BLUE

05

Tracing the origin of Mondrian's artistic creation brings us closer to understanding the intention behind his famous compositions which laid powerfully influential foundations that galvanised artists and art movements across the world.

EPISODE 4

THE ORIGIN OF TABLEAU NO. I

04

Through the Piet Mondrian Conservation Project we take a closer look at one of Mondrian's most iconic paintings - Tableau No. I. The conservator at Fondation Beyeler uncovers new details about the origin of the artwork dated to 1921.

EPISODE 3

BEHIND THE MYTH OF MONDRIAN

03

In forming a distinctive visual language that shaped the artistic culture of the 20th century and beyond, Mondrian was a true original, fearlessly exploring the fundamental elements of art in the creation of something wholly new. His dedication to precision was all-encompassing, and his paintings sought to embody a sense of balance, order, and harmony in the world as he saw it.

EPISODE 2

THE ART OF CONSERVATION

02

Fondation Beyeler’s conservators sit at the frontier of preserving artworks for posterity, with their holistic approach going beyond the realm of art restoration. The aim of the art conservator is a multi-faceted one. It involves closely studying the unique attributes and properties of individual artworks, and documenting, analysing, and anticipating what the impact of time may be upon it.

EPISODE 1

THE COLLABORATION

01

Fondation Beyeler has one of the most comprehensive collections of Piet Mondrian paintings in Switzerland, ranging from important early works to the late classics of this 20th century master. The planning of a large Piet Mondrian exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler gave the impulse to launch a Piet Mondrian research and conservation project with the support of La Prairie.

Drag and select an episode