If you know Mondrian only from his bold geometric paintings and primary colour grids, Mondriaanhuis (Mondrian House) in Amersfoort will surprise you. This is where it all began, in a modest house on Kortegracht 11, where Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan was born in 1872. Before the abstract art, before Paris, before international fame, there was a curious boy growing up in this quiet Dutch city. Visiting his birthplace is less about seeing his art and more about understanding the man behind it, and that turns out to be a genuinely compelling story.
An important tourist attraction in Amersfoort (which is a great destination for a day trip from Amsterdam), the Mondrian Museum is the birthplace of the famous painter Piet Mondrian. He lived a part of his childhood here, before the family moved to Winterswijk. The house where he was born and raised was transformed into a museum in 1994 by the architect Leo Heiderijk and his wife, Cis. Nowadays, Mondrian House is a museum-like experience, very interesting for children and adults alike.
Mondrian House is not a museum centered around exhibiting Mondrian’s art (although there are a few pieces of his work on display), but a place dedicated to shining light on his life and his evolution as an artist. It’s a place to get closer to the man Mondrian, to learn how he lived and what his beliefs were, what challenges he encountered and how he moved past them.
Mondrian or Mondriaan? A Note on the Name
You may notice that Mondrian’s name is spelled differently depending on where you are. In the Netherlands, he was born and registered as Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan – with a double ‘a’. When he moved to Paris and later to New York, he dropped the second ‘a’ and became Piet Mondrian, the name the rest of the world came to know him by. It was a deliberate choice, part of reinventing himself as an international artist rather than a Dutch provincial painter. Today, the museum in Amersfoort uses the original Dutch spelling – Mondriaanhuis – as a nod to his roots, while the man himself remains Mondrian almost everywhere else.
You probably know him for his abstract art, for the geometrical paintings and use of the primary colours. But Mondrian didn’t start that way: his first paintings were in a more traditional style, landscapes and still life that were very praised by its tutors. He later switched to cubism and slowly developed his own style, that we are all familiar with today. It did not surprise me to learn that, when he started painting in his abstract style, he had difficulties selling the work. Mondrian had to paint flowers to make a living, in that period, but he never gave up on his new direction. His journey took him from Amsterdam to Paris, where he co-founded the influential De Stijl movement, and eventually to New York, where he spent his final years and created some of his most energetic work. The influence of De Stijl on modern design, architecture and typography is still visible today – more than you might expect.
I have to admit I knew little about his life and it was such an interesting story to learn! I admire him even more now, for the way he reinvented himself continuously, staying true to his beliefs and trying to achieve what he thought was the perfect art. I love a good inspirational story!
What to Expect Inside Mondrian Museum
If you visit Mondrian House, you will start the journey with a video installation, where, over five minutes, you’ll see how Mondrian’s work changed over the years. Beautifully made, and a good way to orientate yourself before exploring the rest of the house, especially if, like me, you arrive knowing more about his paintings than his life. The museum is not large, but it’s thoughtfully put together. Each room tells a different part of his story, moving from his early years in Amersfoort through his artistic evolution, with original works, archival material and interactive elements along the way.
But my favourite part of the house was the life-size reconstruction of his Paris studio. I learned that he organised his studio according to the rules and laws of his new worldview, and there were geometrical shapes and his signature colours all over the place. The coloured cardboard rectangles he pinned to the walls, constantly rearranging them as he worked things out visually is a detail that stayed with me. You can see he lived simply, but he transformed that studio into a work of art in itself. It makes you realise that for Mondrian, the thinking and art making never stopped. Makes me think about redecorating!
The museum is suitable for children too, with interactive elements that make the abstract concepts more approachable. Allow roughly an hour for your visit, though art lovers will likely want longer.
Alongside its permanent collection, Mondrian House regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that complement the story of Mondrian’s life and work. These exhibitions often explore themes connected to his artistic vision: innovation, abstraction, colour and form, through the work of contemporary artists.
In 2022, the city of Amersfoort celebrated 150 years since the birth of Mondrian with many special events. The Mondriaanhuis honoured Piet Mondrian with a manifestation that focused on the artist’s urge to innovate and the imagination. Many institutions and local entrepreneurs took part in the celebrations. There were exhibitions and educational programs for schools, cultural programs, dance events, and even a beer dedicated to Mondrian. If you get the chance to visit Amersfoort, don’t miss the Mondriaanhuis, which you can combine with Museum Flehite for an extended art journey. Museum Flehite houses an impressive collection dedicated to the history and culture of Amersfoort and the surrounding region – from archaeological finds and medieval artefacts to stories of the people who shaped the city over the centuries. Together they make for a genuinely satisfying cultural day out in a city that deserves far more visitors than it gets.
Practical Information and FAQ
Address: Kortegracht 11, Amersfoort
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Admission prices: Adult €14, youth 6-17 yo €8. Free with Museum Card.
How to get there from Amsterdam: you can take the train from Amsterdam (the ride is between 35 – 50 minutes) and once in Amersfoort you can simply walk. Use the NS website to plan your trip.
How long to allow for your visit: between one and three hours.
The Mondrian House offers interactive guided tours as well. Participants actively take part: looking at works of art, discussing them and asking questions. Duration: 1 Hour, price €90. Every two weeks on Thursdays (in the even weeks) the Mondrian Museum offers free guided tours (if you manage to catch a spot).
Is Mondriaanhuis worth visiting? Definitely! Even if you are not a big fan of his, there is a lot to learn from his life’s story and reinvention. It’s a beautiful museum too and it doesn’t take long to visit.
Is Mondrian House suitable for children? yes, it is. There are even special workshops for children.
Accessibility: the Mondrian House is accessible to wheelchair users (but you have to call them in advance for the entrance ramp). Companions have free entrance and assistance dogs are allowed.
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Amersfoort is part of Utrecht province, one of the most rewarding regions to explore in the Netherlands, and it’s a place I wholeheartedly recommend for a day trip.
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