By the Sea (1909)

In this enchanting painting titled "By the Sea," created by Piet Mondrian in 1909, we are presented with a vivid and atmospheric portrayal of the seashore. The artwork epitomizes an early phase of Mondrian's career, where his focus still lay in the realm of representational art before his well-known transition to abstraction.Mondrian masterfully captures the essence of a seaside landscape under a vast, dynamic sky. The painting is divided into two primary elements—the sky and the sea—evoking a sense of tranquility interspersed with an underlying dynamism, reflective of nature itself. The sky, rendered in bold strokes of yellow and blue, suggests a sunset or a stormy day, with cloud formations dynamically swirling across the canvas.Below, the sea is depicted with a range of blues and greys, subtly striated to suggest gentle waves and the calming ebb and flow of the tide. The horizon is marked by darker tones, creating a naturalistic division between sky and sea. Interesting details in the foreground include what appear to be sand banks or perhaps dunes, adorned in muted earth tones, adding depth and texture to the seascape."By the Sea" stands out in Mondrian's oeuvre as a poignant reminder of his versatility and his ability to convey deep emotion and atmosphere prior to his evolution towards geometric abstraction.