De Stijl

The specialized book "De Stijl: The Geometric Ornament and Monumental Design" offers a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical and formal foundations of the artist group De Stijl, which was active from 1917 to 1931. It highlights the collaboration of painters, architects, and designers and their efforts to unify the arts through a modern vocabulary of forms. Similar to the Bauhaus and Russian Constructivism, De Stijl represents a significant attempt of the European avant-garde. The book examines the roots of this project in the style discussions of the 19th century and their influence on the theory and practice of the decorative arts. Through various concepts such as the "straight line," "geometric ornament," and "monumental art," the aesthetic discourse of the turn of the century is analyzed. Additionally, it addresses the tension between applied and fine arts, which ultimately led to the challenge and conclusion of the style project.