Piet Mondrian was a Dutch painter born on March 7, 1872, known for his role in the development of abstract art. He is best recognized for his distinctive style that features geometric shapes, primarily rectangles and squares, filled with primary colors like red, blue, and yellow, along with black and white. His work aimed to express a sense of harmony and order through simplicity and balance. Mondrian was a key figure in the De Stijl movement, which emphasized abstraction and minimalism. His famous works, such as Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow, reflect his belief in the universal language of art. Mondrian passed away on February 1, 1944, leaving a lasting impact on modern art.