It has been more than 100 years since the founding of the Dutch art and design movement known as De Stijl.
It was in October of 1917 that artist, architect and critic Theo van Doesburg released the first issue of De Stijl magazine. A platform for artists, designers and architects to express their revolutionary new ideas, the journal was a launching point for what would become an international movement. Meaning “the Style,” De Stijl was an attempt at pure abstraction — one centered on the use of primary colors and perpendicular lines as a utopian expression of a harmonious world.
Along with van Doesburg, the group’s most integral members were Bart van der Leck, Gerrit Rietveld and Piet Mondrian, whose geometric red, yellow, blue and black “Composition” paintings remain the most recognizable work of the movement. Mondrian used the term “neoplasticism” to describe the abstract art that he and his friends produced.
Not just an art movement, however, De Stijl also had a profound impact on modern design and architecture. It would go on to influence Bauhaus and the International Style of architecture. Although it was disbanded in 1931, De Stijl continues to inspire the popular imagination today, and De Stijl creators and their ilk are responsible for timeless works (some of which can be found on 1stDibs).
Made from two plywood plates and 15 connecting bars, the Red and Blue chair is a calling card of the De Stijl movement. Designed by architect Gerrit Rietveld, the chair is most often referred to as the Rietveld chair, likely because it didn’t actually get its signature De Stijl colors until the early 1920s.
Also designed by Rietveld, this asymmetrical side table was constructed for his first residential commission, the Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht, which is now a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Mondrian is the De Stijl group’s most well-known member. His familiar black lines with red, yellow and blue blocks are still reproduced in artworks and products today.
Russian-American artist Ilya Bolotowsky was highly interested in the work of Piet Mondrian. A founding member of the New York–based American Abstract Artists — other founders included Ray Kaiser (later Eames) and Josef Albers — Bolotowsky was smitten with Mondrian’s pure geometric abstractions from the period when lived in New York. In this signed, untitled silkscreen print from around 1970, you can see Bolotowsky’s use of hard-edge vertical and horizontal lines, as well as primary colors, although he didn’t limit himself to this palette.
Mondrian is the De Stijl group’s most well-known member. His familiar black lines with red, yellow and blue blocks are still reproduced in artworks and products today. In the 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent designed the Mondrian Collection of cocktail dresses. This wall mirror by Italian manufacturer Rimadesio is among the many decor pieces created in the likeness of Mondrian.
On 1stDibs, find De Stijl lighting, De Stijl decorative objects and more.
Gerrit Rietveld, Steltman Chair / Authentic
Located in Zürich, CH
The relationship between the different shapes ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both ten...
Oak
Gerrit Rietveld, Berlin Chair / Authentic
Located in Zürich, CH
The relationship between the different shapes ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both ten...
Oak
$16,777 / set
H 27.56 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Gerrit Rietveld Steltman chairs - Netherlands, 1963
Located in London, GB
Gerrit Rietveld (1888–1964) was a key figure in the De Stijl movement, known for his radical use of geometry, line, and primary colour. A trained cabinetmaker, he brought a sculptura...
Pine
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig Zag Chair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1934. Relaunched in 1973/ 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Materials: Wood Dimensions: D 43 cm x W 37 cm x H 74 cm (SH ...
Wood
Italian 1950s Sculptural Single Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1950s beautifully sculpted single chair.
Upholstery, Wood
Zig-Zag Chair by Gerrit Rietveld, Cherry Wood, De Stijl, 1934
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The Zig-Zag chair (1934) by Dutch designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld is one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered solid wood chair. Its four wood boards are connected end to end, g...
Cherry
Unique Large-Scale Model of Gerrit Rietveld's "Aluminium Stoel"
Located in Dronten, NL
An icon, scaled for the mantle. This is a rare, large-scale presentation or display model of Gerrit Rietveld's radical "Aluminium Stoel"—a chair that, in its full-sized form, was ne...
Aluminum
$706
H 34.26 in W 20.08 in D 22.45 in
Postmodern Cardboard Sculptural Chair, Frank Gehry Wiggle Chair Style, 1980s
By Frank Gehry, Vitra
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Postmodern 1980s whimsical sculptural chair in brown cardboard and reminiscent of Frank Gehry's Wiggle Chair. The chair is surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable. It certainly adds playful flair and amusement to your space. Condition is good vintage condition with some minimal and acceptable signs of wear. Dimensions as follows: Depth: 22.5 in (57 cm), width: 20 in (51 cm), height: 34.25 in (87 cm), seat height: 17.3 in (44 cm). Having established his own firm in Los Angeles in 1961, Gehry saw a pile of corrugated cardboard outside his office and started to experiment. Inspired by a childhood spent exploring his grandfather’s hardware shop, Gehry set about creating the Easy Edges furniture series, highlighting the strength and versatility of cardboard. “I discovered that by alternating the direction of layers of corrugations, the finished board had enough strength to support a small car...
Paper
‘Crate’ Chair in Wood, Attributed to Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Berlin, BE
‘Crate’ chair in wood, Attributed to Gerrit Rietveld Additional information: Material: Wood Designer: Gerrit Rietveld Size: 61 W x 54 D x 70 H cm.
Wood
Rattan and Iron Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French sculptural rattan and iron chair. Handwoven cone shaped rattan seat sits freely inside the iron frame. One of a kind, prototype chair. Very good vintage condition.
Iron
K3 Koi Low Leather Chair
Located in London, GB
Hand made in Italy, low leather chair. Vegetable tanned hand made leather chair on a nickel plated steel base. Eight leather colors available. Cust...
Leather
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld - Utrecht Chairs
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Pair of early Cassina Utrecht chairs designed, by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, originally drawn in 1936 for the Metz & Co warehouse. In 1972, Cassina acqui...
Mohair
$2,412
H 34.65 in W 32.68 in D 25.79 in
Red and Blue Chair by Gerrit Rietveld, for Cassina, De Stijl, Netherlands
Located in LYON, FR
Red and blue chair Gerrit Rietveld Cassina edition Vintage Red and blue chair by Dutch designer Gerrit Rietveld. Produced since 1973 by Italian manufacturer Cassina. Stamped on the...
Beech, Birch
French Caned Corner Chair
Located in New York, NY
18th century French hand-carved walnut corner chair with excellent detail. Lyrical shape with graceful arms - the chair back and shaped seat with antique caning. Fitted with vintage green leather...
Cane