Mondrian left his native Holland in 1938.  He set up a studio in Holland which was bombed during WW2.  Later he moved onto New York where his work became more colourful and rhythmical.

Mondrian's most famous works (like those above) evolved from drawings he made of trees.  Ironically as his style developed Mondrian built up a dislike of green so much that it is said he would often close blinds to avoid seeing grass or trees.

Mondrian Investigation 1

Begin life drawings of trees using only horizontal and vertical lines.  Create areas of colour from intersecting lines, add blocks of primary colours in rectangles.

Mondrian Investigation 2

Create compositions which use only the colours black, white, red, blue and yellow and rectangles.  Groups can work on opposed themes: 'peace' 'war' 'love' 'hate' - and then ask others which is which.

See the interactive art pages to make a Mondrian.