'De Stijl', timeless and innovative design and art

This year the Netherlands is celebrating the 100th anniversary of De Stijl. With its pared- back designs spanning architecture, sculpture, painting and typography, the movement has cemented the Netherlands’ presence in the history of modern art.

De Stijl

De Stijl was comprised of majorly important designers and artists like Gerrit Rietveld, Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondriaan. Although De Stijl disbanded in 1932 after the death of the group’s keyfigure, Theo van Doesburg, ideas generated by the movement continued to inspire artists, architects, and designers over the following years and have remained influential up until today.

100th anniversary of De Stijl

In the Netherlands all kinds of events have been organized to celebrate the 100th anniversary of De Stijl, including exhibitions in the Stedelijk Museum and Haags Gemeentemuseum.

Bonhams, the international auction house, will offer four De Stijl masterpieces by Dutch furniture designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld in the Important Design Sale on 5 April 2017 at Bonhams London, New Bond Street saleroom.

_{Gerrit Rietveld, Red/Blue chair designed 1917, estimated €8,200-12,000. Executed by Gerard van de Groenekan between 1979 and 1984.}

Fampous armchair and wheel barrow 

The Red/Blue chair featured in this auction was designed in 1917. The provenance of this particular chair is impressive, it was commissioned directly from Gerard van de Groenekan, the reknowned furniture maker who executed Gerrit Rietveld’s designs. It is a fine example of the De Stijl movement, showcasing its simplicity and abstraction, using clearly defined lines and rectangular forms in bold primary colours and values.

A ‘Hoge’ armchair, a red armchair and a child’s wheelbarrow are also featured in the sale. Each were executed by Gerard van de Groenekan between 1979 and 1983. The four pieces were part of the Dutch diplomat H.M. Slingerland van Bemmelen’s private collection. He transported them around the world, bringing a little bit of the Netherlands with him to each of his postings.

_{Gerrit Rietveld,  A child's wheelbarrow designed c.1923, estimated €5,900-8,200.}

Gerrit Rietveld en de De Stijl

Gerrit Rietveld was born in Utrecht in 1888. He began his career as a draughtsman before opening his own furniture shop in 1917, the same year De Stijl was founded in Amsterdam. Rietveld became a member of the De Stijl movement in 1919, soon after he started working as an architect. The Important Design Sale was curated by Bonhams.

The new concept Important Design brings together more than 500 years of excellence in furniture and the decorative arts – from Renaissance to Art Nouveau, Chippendale to Lucie Rie.

Modern collectors and interior designers prefer to mix styles, makers and periods. By offering a carefully curated selection of objects, Bonhams aims to satisfy this growing demand, and to attract buyers who may not necessarily be collectors of a specific genre but are interested in purchasing a unique piece.

The sale will take place at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London (UK) on Wednesday 5 April.

For available artworks of De Stijl periode, also have look here at Gallerease!

Main photo: Bart van der Leck, 'De Storm', oil on canvas, 118 x 159 cm. Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, the Netherlands