Georges Vantongerloo (1886-1965) was a Belgian painter, sculptor, and architect associated with the De Stijl art movement. He studied engineering before moving to Paris in 1910 to study painting. There he met Piet Mondrian, who became a major influence on his work. Vantongerloo returned to Belgium in 1912 and developed an interest in Constructivism. He founded the Society for Modern Art in Antwerp in 1918 and the Groupe des XX in 1920.
In the 1920s, Vantongerloo began experimenting with abstract sculpture, often incorporating geometric forms. He also designed several public monuments, including the Memorial to the Victims of the First World War in Brussels (1923-1928). In the 1930s, he returned to painting and began creating works with a more spiritual quality.
Vantongerloo’s later work was often criticized by his contemporaries. However, he continued to produce innovative and thought-provoking art until his death in 1965.
Today, Vantongerloo’s work is recognized as an important contribution to the history of abstract art. His work can be seen in several major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Gallery in London.
