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Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) was a Dutch painter renowned for his pioneering role in abstract art, particularly through his development of a distinctive style based on grids. Initially influenced by Impressionism and Cubism, Mondrian's work evolved significantly when he moved to Paris in 1912. His encounter with Cubism, especially the works of Picasso and Braque, led him to deconstruct natural forms into geometric components.

By the 1920s, Mondrian developed his signature style, known as "neoplasticism" or "De Stijl." This approach was characterized by the use of a grid of vertical and horizontal black lines and a palette restricted to primary colors (red, blue, yellow) along with white, black, and gray. His compositions, such as "Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow" (1930), exemplify this method, emphasizing balance and harmony through geometric abstraction.

Mondrian's use of the grid was not merely a stylistic choice but a philosophical one. He sought to express universal harmony and order, believing that abstraction and reduction to basic forms and colors could reveal underlying truths about reality. His influence extended beyond painting to architecture and design, contributing to the modernist movement's aesthetic and theoretical foundations.

Mondrian's work with grids laid the groundwork for various modern art movements, including minimalism and abstract expressionism, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in the evolution of 20th-century art.