Piet Mondriaan 1872-1944

Artist: Piet Mondrian 
Author: Bryan Robertson and Piet Mondrian 
Publisher: Whitechapel Art Gallery 
Date: 1955 
Condition: Some minor handling marks and scuffs to the matt covers but overall a very clean and little-used copy of this interesting catalogue. 

The non-British artist exhibitions staged by the Whitechapel Art Gallery in the 1950s and 1960s are amazing - De Stael, Pollock, Malevich, Rothko, Poliakoff, Kline to name just a few - and this 1955 exhibition was a real gem. Whilst the catalogue is illustrated in black and white, barring the frontispiece and cover, even a brief look shows how exciting and comprehensive a display for the time the gallery put on.  

Although Mondrian's time in London was relatively short, his friendships with other artists were very important and influential, as was the collector base for his art. Several important paintings were still in British collections at the time of this exhibition, as can be seen from the names of the lenders. 

The catalogue also includes reprints of two early articles by Mondrian 'Neo-Plasticism' and 'Pure Plastic Art', as well as an extensive bibliography and list of articles by Mondrian. 

This copy also includes the loosely inserted list of early jazz music played during the show, something that must surely have been quite innovative for the time, and even gave jazz fans the record number details so they could go and buy them themselves!

All in all a fascinating period document filled with useful information on this mid-century giant