In 2022, het jaar dat Mondriaans 150e geboortejaar feestelijk werd gememoreerd, verwierf het Mondriaanhuis, het geboortehuis van de schilder, negen vroege Mondriaans uit de periode 1899-1908.
The exceptional purchase was made possible thanks to generous support from the Rembrandt Association and the municipality of Amersfoort, among others. The Mondriaanhuis had had the works on long-term loan since 2010 from an heir of art collector Dr J.F.S. Esser. After the death of this owner, they were in danger of being lost to the public. Intensive contact with the heirs succeeded in permanently preserving the paintings and drawings for the Dutch public art collection.
"The fact that the purchase of as many as nine works has been successful is really very special. We are extremely happy that, with all the support we have received, they can stay in the Mondrian House once and for all. This way, everyone can continue to enjoy the unique development of this pioneer of abstract art." Paul Baltus, director Mondrian House.
Purchase
At the request of the heirs, it has been stipulated that the purchase price will not be disclosed. The acquisition was made with the support of Rembrandt Association (also thanks to its Mrs M. Boersma Fund, its Van Lith-Dumont Fund and its Friends Lottery Acquisition Fund), the Municipality of Amersfoort, Social Cultural Fund De Amersfoortse and the Friends of the Mondrian House.
The young Mondrian
Piet Mondrian (1872, Amersfoort - 1944, New York) learnt drawing and painting from his father and uncle Frits at an early age. After teaching hand drawing, he moved to Amsterdam in 1892 and studied at the Rijksacademie. His early work, around 1900, is still figurative and artisanal, although there are already signs of innovation. His choice of subjects is traditional: farms, landscapes, village scenes, flowers and portraits. Only after his departure for Paris in 1911 do we see a turn towards more abstract work.
Esser collection
The nine acquired works were part of an extensive collection of Dutch art from the beginning of the last century, brought together in the years 1906-1912 by general practitioner, plastic surgeon, chess champion, businessman and art collector Dr J.F.S. Esser (1877-1946). His patients included painters Jan Sluijters and George Hendrik Breitner. Through them, Esser also came into contact with other young, talented artists, including Piet Mondrian. At its peak, his collection consisted of 800 works, 80 of which were by Mondrian. After Esser's death, the collection that remained (in fact, the doctor had part of the collection auctioned off again as early as 1919) was divided among his heirs.
The following works have been acquired:
1. Isolated tree on the Gein (oil sketch I), Oil on canvas, 1906-1907, 53 x 36 cm
2. Farmhouse, Oil on canvas 1905, 27 x 39 cm
3. Flip-up bridge in a meadow, Oil on canvas, 1903, 21.5 x 28 cm
4. Farmhouse on the Gein flanked by tall trees, Oil on canvas, 1906-1907, 33.3 x 56.6 cm
5. Dredger on the Amstel River near the Omval, Oil on cardboard, 1906-1907, 63.5 x 76 cm
6. Pollard willows on a ditch outside Amsterdam, Watercolour, 1905, 28.5 x 40 cm
7. The Lappenbrink, view of New Street, Black and coloured crayon on paper, 1899, 45 x 61 cm
8. The Lappenbrink, view of Meddosestraat, Black and coloured crayon on paper, 1899, 59 x 43 cm
9. Chrysanthemum flower, Charcoal on paper, 1908, 27.5 x 50.5 cm