How 'The Style' was born

In the conditions of increasing globalization,  artist started somehow to aim towards invention of  universal visual language that will be appealing for masses. This could be done by simplification of forms and reduction of pallet to the primary colours. These two principle became fundamentals for members of 'De Stijl' movement. By this time the ideas of non-objective art and domination of geometrical forms were already developed by Kandinsky, Malevich and other abstract art representatives. However, Neoplasticism took the ideas further aimed to absolute purity and harmony in depiction of geometrical forms. They reduced the importance of subjective expression that allowed to establish clear structures and order. Privilege was given to an idea of wisely organised simple forms and colours that helped to balance composition. Their approach was the most precised and logical in art so far. 

Composition VIII (The Cow)

Theo Van Doesburgh

1918

One of the inventors of De Stijl, Theo Van Doesburgh, applied his principles in art, architecture and design works. He underpinned the concept of environmental experience that can be created by careful organisation of different elements within space. After getting acquainted with Kandinsky's theories about art, the artist re-evaluated the spiritual component of art and the idea of harmony. Personal theories of Van Doesburgh about De Stijl were discussed in the homonymous journal. 

Composition VIII is an example of how De Stijl simplification works. It is one of an early period of artist's De Stijl practice. What was initially a cow, became an array of horizontal and vertical lines. The artist 'abstractionised' the painting of a cow to the limits of basic forms and colours. It was crucial to organize the elements in the most harmonized order, so that to keep the initial version within the final one. The shades are present in the pallet, that were meant to fill the spaces of removed forms.

'Composition A'

Piet Mondrian

1923

Another ideological founder of the movement, Piet Mondrian, was adept of de-naturalization in art. He organized the combination of coloured /not coloured part and geometrical figures the way that created the most harmonious and balanced fill of the canvas. In spite of similarity of views with Van Doesburgh, Mondrian kept to a slightly different approach within De Stijl. He didn't allow any deviations from the basic principles, the representation of positive-negative relationship. Unlikely, he limited the technique to the primary colours and horizontal/ vertical position strictly, whereas Van Doesburgh was more broad in this terms (used diagonal positions and mixed colours). 

All the above-said principle are applied in 'Composition A'. The sequence of black and white blocks is broken by yellow, red and blue squares. The layers are seen as one surface where combination of shapes is used to create rhythm. 

Both Van Doesburgh and Mondrian are considered as great influences for future art movements. Their essays and books on abstract art are still considered to be key works in this sphere. The heritage of De Stijl was particularly influential for Bauhaus movement that incorporated it's principles of simplicity and order. Besides, the ideas were extensively adopted within design in it's broadest sense: from furniture to jewelry. 

Sources:

http://www.theartstory.org/movement-de-stijl.htm

http://68.media.tumblr.com/27effbef7c8504688bcd0aa74d32be30/tumblr_mnkzzksp7R1rpgpe2o2_1280.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/0f/7d/9b/0f7d9b923d97ccbcd040cf2d253251e6.jpg

http://www.theartstory.org/artist-mondrian-piet-artworks.htm#pnt_4

http://www.piet-mondrian.org/images/paintings/composition-a-1923.jpg