Oil on canvas, framed. Featuring an abstract expressionist composition. Signed and attr. Theo van Doesburg (Dutch, 1882-1931) on the lower right corner. 51 x 41 cm (20.1 x 16.1 in). Theo van Doesburg was a Dutch artist and designer who helped found the De Stijl movement with his fellow countryman Piet Mondrian. Van Doesburg’s primary conviction was that painting, architecture, and design should be unified into an immersive environment. “What I am trying to realize is a universal form which entirely corresponds to my spiritual vision,†he once explained. Born Christian Emile Marie Kupper on August 30, 1883 in Utrecht, Netherlands, he took the name of his stepfather Theodorus Doesburg as a young man. Having first adopted a naturalistic then a Post-Impressionist style, Van Doesburg’s work abruptly changed in 1915, after seeing the paintings of Mondrian. Over the following years, the artist travelled through Europe presenting his De Stijl theories to members of the Bauhaus, Constructivists, and Dadaists. He attempted to become a professor at the Weimar Bauhaus but was turned away by its founder Walter Gropius. Van Doesburg would later collaborate with both Jean (Hans) Arp and his wife Sophie Taueber-Arp, cofound the Art Concret group, and design his own house in Meunon, France. He died on March 7, 1931 in Davos, Switzerland. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Centraal Museum in his hometown of Utrecht, among others. PROVENANCE: Southern Ontario estate

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.