Mondrian teas off the menu at the Courtauld
Another successful OCA study visit ended without the Mondrian teas advertised in the cafe. Still, the exhibition offered a lot of food for thought. OCA Art History tutor David Knapp, who led the group, offers us an insight to the exhibition.
Mondrian’s primary colours shone against white backgrounds, Nicholson’s crisply carved white reliefs blazed brightly next to his subtly varied colours – a vivid contrast to the dull, blurry grey May day below. The purity of circles, squares and parallel lines cancelled out the chaos of traffic on The Strand.
The exhibition focuses on a short period in the two artists’ careers, when their work was closest in style. It begins in 1934 when Nicholson first visited Mondrian’s studio in Paris and includes the years PM spent in London after being invited here by Nicholson, in Belsize Park, London (NW3) around the corner from Nicholson’s studio (also that of Barbara Hepworth) The exhibition ends in about 1939 when Nicholson and Hepworth left for Cornwall and Mondrian left for New York to escape the war.
Vanja Malloy (Courtauld Institute) gave our group a fascinating talk on Mondrian and Nicholson’s interest in science and effects this may have had on their art, arguing roughly as follows.
Mondrian was interested in Einstein’s work on relativity which may have influenced his search for the 4th plane or dimension, eventually leading to an art which explored the abstract laws, rules, patterns behind and beyond the visible world, in the same way that Einstein explored space and time in physics.
Mondrian creates movement countering the static flatness of the canvas by placement of lines, colours and shapes so that the eye moves around the canvas. This creates a temporal dimension in the paintings. He saw his studio as a laboratory, experimenting with the elements in his paintings as a scientist experiments to find underlying “laws”. He treated lines as forces pulling and pushing, and placed squares of primary colours in various combinations, aiming for a “dynamic equilibrium”.
Nicholson became interested in Einstein’s work via British scientist Sir Arthur Eddington’s writings. He was fascinated by Eddington’s idea that the scientific and spiritual experiences and approaches are similar, both searching for a reality beyond everyday appearances. Nicholson felt art did this too, especially abstract art. These similar ideas seem to underpin
I wasn’t totally convinced by the argument about science’s importance in the actual paintings. What about the political context or the influence of refugee Constructivists like Moholy-Nagy and Gabo, also living in NW3? What about, most importantly, Hepworth’s influence?
Nicholson and Mondrian were very different artists, as this exhibition shows. Mondrian seems driven by his theories, his intellectual and visual search for “dynamic equilibrium” which would transform society into a utopia in which art played a central role. Nicholson and many other European artists shared this utopian vision of abstract art as a weapon against totalitarianism.
Nicholson’s art was more intuitive, physical rather than intellectual. He was more interested in colour and its ability to create space, in the surfaces and the work as object. He continued to work on still lives and landscapes at the same time as producing purely abstract works. His reliefs were undoubtedly influenced by Hepworth, working alongside him. The absence of Hepworth was a gap in the exhibition when some Nicholson works seem closer to her work than Mondrian’s.
A shame that the “Mondrian tea” was off the menu in the café! It would have been interesting to see how the chefs positioned squares of bread and cheese, perhaps divided by lines of licorice (squid ink?), to achieve that elusive – and edible – dynamic equilibrium.
David Knapp
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Interesting distinction between an intellectual approach and a physical, intuitive one. I have learnt something about Mondrian’s fascination with science- thanks.
Still mulling things over from this exhibition and study visit. What a lot to think about … the art in itself gave me lots to think about, but the talk and chatting as we went round threw up even more things. So, more than good as a study visit.
Let’s not overlook the influence of Theosophy on Mondrian. I think that although he was keen to look towards science in his later career, Theosophy was a major impact on the artist.
Splendid trip to the Mondrian//Nicholson exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery, thanks OCA. The guide was knowledgeable, communicative and v enthusiastic! The concept of movement in and the effect of jazz on Mondrian’s pictures provided an interesting way into his work. The link with science & spirituality was another avenue of exploration opened for me. As has already been said, the more I consider these two the less in common they have. My appreciation for BN increased (I had not previously been much of a fan) whilst PM’s oeuvre seems less constricted now I have digested the words of the guide & the thoughts of the other students present. Its good to visit an exhibition where the pictures can actually be seen past the throng of visitors.
Hi David
Thanks for taking us round the exhibition, it was interesting and as you said Vanja’s theories were controversial and thought provoking. I tend to agree with you, certainly with regard Nicholson’s art. He had so many other influences on his work at that time. There was also no mention of the spiritual aspects of both artists’ work, which cannot be ignored. It is a small and interesting exhibition and as always with exhibitions at the Courtald, brings something new to the discussions.
Students who cannot get there but are interested in these theories can find out more at the Courtald website under teachers resources.
Great to meet other students and yourself and Alison and we braved the elements and the pigeons and sat outside for lunch. A lovely day.
Yes, thanks Amanda — the teacher’s resources are excellent for this exhibition. They include an essay by the wonderful Vanja, a PhD student at the Courtauld, who did the introductory talk. See http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/publicprogrammes/documents/MondrianNicholsonteachersweb.pdf
Thank you for the study visit. I found it a very tranquil and reflective experience and was somewhat shell-shocked to come out into The Strand afterwards! Before the visit I had not consciously looked at Nicholson’s work in any detail, and was fascinated by the changing effects of light and shadow on the white relief panels. The talk by Vanya was very informative, especially about the scientific and philosophical background.
I also attended the Mondrian/Nicholson study visit having just reached the 20thC in Understanding Art 1: Western Art so great timing! I have a science background and currently little knowledge of modern art. Vanja’s background (doctoral student having studied science and art history) and the theories described were fascinating. She brought the exhibition to life for me. Meeting other students and the cafe chat were also a highlight. The Courtauld Gallery is a favourite of mine and always worth a visit.
Many thanks OCA for this brilliant study visit. I went along with mixed feelings about these two artists and left with a much greater understanding and appreciation of their work. The information from Vanja was invaluable and thought provoking.It was good to meet with the other students, as well as David and Alison of course! The rest of the gallery was also interesting and I wonder how many spotted the unexpected Mondrian ‘Landscape with Canal’, a tradional style painting, quite dark, and definitely very different to the exhibition work!! Brilliant end to an excellent day.
Thanks David and Alison – you helped make my first OCA study visit an enjoyable an informative event. I was interested in the guide’s focus on the scientific influences to the works of Mondrian and Nicholson but agree that there were far wider influences on Nicholson’s work. It was good to meet up with other students at different stages of study and discuss other OCA issues over lunch. I look forward to participating in future study visits.