Counter composition XIII 1925

Theo van Doesburg made this painting, Counter-Composition XIII, on a square canvas with oil paint. The canvas is split into asymmetrical triangles of black, white, red, yellow, and gray, each with a slightly different surface. The paint feels thin, but if you look closer, you can see the texture of the brushstrokes, which suggests it was built up in layers. I love the way the blocks of colour are laid on top of each other, creating a dialogue between the flatness of the image and the depth of the paint. It’s almost like Van Doesburg is trying to create a sense of space and movement with the simplest of forms. Thinking of other painters who might have done something similar, my mind goes to Piet Mondrian, with those primary colors arranged in a grid-like fashion. It's all about structure, but there’s also a sense of playfulness and experimentation, a feeling that anything is possible.