How was Piet Mondrians philosophy of art similar to the beliefs of ancient Greeks?

Both believed in vigorous exercise prior to creating art

Modrian and the Greeks beloved the golden ratio was the most important principle of art

Both believed that true art could only be accomplished with a clear head

Mondrians belief in an underlying spiritual order mirrored the Greeks desire to learn the law sof math and nature

1 answer

Piet Mondrian's philosophy of art shares a significant connection with the beliefs of ancient Greeks, particularly in how both sought to express underlying order and harmony in their respective works. The most relevant similarities include:

  1. Spiritual Order and Natural Laws: Mondrian believed that art should reflect a deeper, underlying order of the universe, which can be seen as a spiritual essence. He aimed to distill reality down to its basic elements through abstraction, focusing on horizontal and vertical lines and primary colors. This aligns with the Greek pursuit of understanding the laws of nature, mathematics, and beauty, particularly as seen in their appreciation for concepts like symmetry and proportion, exemplified by the golden ratio.

Thus, the best answer reflecting their shared beliefs would be: Mondrian's belief in an underlying spiritual order mirrored the Greeks' desire to learn the laws of math and nature.