Mondrian: The Transatlantic Paintings

Rating:
Summary: review of the transatlantic paintings
Review: An excellent exhibition catalog that focuses on a narrow body of works by Mondrian; namely, paintings that Mondrian brought with him on his flight from World War II in Europe to New York City, and that he either finished in New York or re-worked completely, thus the name "transatlantic paintings." These works are largely a response to the vibrant city life Mondrian enjoyed in New York, seeing the city as an embodiment of his utopian ideas of life in the future for all mankind. Part of this response included Mondrian's embracing of a musical fusion of blues and jazz music called boogie-woogie.
The photographs are made with the most advanced technology available, and give new insights into Mondrian's working methods, chronicaling his many revisions with x-ray and ultraviolet photography, among other techniques. Extreme close-ups are provided of small details that are otherwise impossible to see with the naked eye.
This book is not for the casual reader looking for biographical or career retrospective information on Mondrain, as its focus is too narrow, but is designed for those interested in the final period of Mondrian's career, and those interested in the conservation and restoration of paintings.