Mondrian's final masterpieces to be reunited

For the first time in over 80 years, Piet Mondrian's two final paintings will be reunited in the Netherlands: the iconic Victory Boogie Woogie and Broadway Boogie Woogie. Inspired by the energy and music of New York City in the early 1940s, Mondrian carried out his most radical experiments with rhythm, colour, and material. 
The reunion of these masterpieces is a unique moment for the Netherlands. Broadway Boogie Woogie will travel from The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York to The Hague for this occasion. The two works have only been displayed together in the Netherlands once before, in 1946. Through a multisensory exhibition - showcasing how dance and music inspired Mondrian - we are adding a new and surprising chapter to Mondrian's story, in collaboration with MoMA. 
 

Mondrian's final works

Victory Boogie Woogie (1942–44) is an icon of modern art and the highlight of the world’s largest collection of Mondrian's work, housed in Kunstmuseum Den Haag. During the darkest days of the war in Europe, Mondrian began creating works of hope. He worked on Victory Boogie Woogie and Broadway Boogie Woogie at the same time in his New York atelier. He completed the Broadway but died in 1944 before finishing the Victory. The countless pieces of tape on the canvas show that Mondrian continued searching for the ultimate composition, down to the very last moment. 

Closer than ever

In this exhibition, augmented reality and high-tech 3D replicas offer unprecedented insights into the making of these works, bringing visitors closer than ever before. Kunstmuseum Den Haag will also display material from the artist's personal archives, documenting events such as his traumatic journey to New York when he fled London during World War II. Mondrian spent the entire journey on the deck of a ship that was part of a convoy being targeted by German U-boats. With rolled-up canvases and a life jacket strapped to his body, the artist endured a terrifying experience that left deep marks. Only after reaching the New York skyline was he able to relax and find the freedom to resume his artistic experimentation. 

Dancing to the Boogie-Woogie at Café Society

The exhibition brings the legendary Café Society to life - the only place in New York at the time where Black and white people could perform and gather. Mondrian frequently visited to dance to the boogie-woogie, a music style rooted in the African diaspora. It became a crucial source of inspiration for his work. In addition to creating Victory and Broadway Boogie Woogie, the music prompted him to rework several paintings he had brought from Europe. Ten of these so-called transatlantic works will be on display. Visitors are invited to (re)discover the boogie-woogie and dance among the artworks.

Exhibition partners

This exhibition is being organised by Kunstmuseum Den Haag and The Museum of Modern Art, New York, in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and the RKD – Netherlands Institute for Art History.  

This exhibition is made possible with the support of Gemeente Den Haag, VriendenLoterij, Mondriaan Fund and Kunstmuseum Fund