Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is an oil on canvas painting created by Piet Mondrian, cataloged as representative of the artist’s early figurative period extending from 1906 through his mature career. While Mondrian is globally recognized as the pioneer of Neoplasticism and geometric abstraction, this work exemplifies the sustained attention he paid to natural forms, a practice deeply rooted in early 20th-century Dutch artistic traditions. The canvas showcases the nuanced, expressive application of paint often associated with Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, demonstrating the spiritual significance Mondrian attached to nature before his full commitment to purified form.

Unlike the stark geometry and primary colors of his mature style, this canvas utilizes a rich, deep palette and visible brushwork to capture the texture and complexity of the flower. Mondrian’s continued production of floral studies, even after adopting abstraction, provides crucial insight into the artist’s lifelong exploration of essence and form.

The painting is housed within the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, offering scholars and the public a vital link between the artist’s foundational years in the Netherlands and his later groundbreaking work. High-resolution images and fine art prints of Chrysanthemum are often accessible, allowing wide appreciation for this complex, transitional aspect of Mondrian’s oeuvre.