Shape shifters

Someone asked me recently whether I actually liked Mondrian’s paintings. The implication being that his form of geometrical abstraction was too pure — or too antiseptic — to contain the necessary germ of human warmth required to engage the emotions; and that though one could admire his work intellectually, it was difficult to be passionate about it. There’s plenty of passion in Mondrian, but it is controlled fire, banked down to burn with a white-hot flame. Perhaps it should be termed the Higher Passion, as it does not immediately affect the ordinary emotions, but inspires instead to the spiritual ecstasy of the saint. Looking at a handful of his pictures is a remarkably uplifting experience, as can be determined from a visit to the Courtauld’s excellent exhibition. And when juxtaposed with the paintings and reliefs of Ben Nicholson, the effect is doubled rather than halved.

The trouble is — as T.S.