A Little-Known Artist's Time in the Spotlight: Marlow Moss and the Intersection of Art, Sexuality, and Identity
In 1972, the Kunstmuseum in Hague acquired three paintings by Marlow Moss, a British artist whose work was largely overlooked until now. The art gallery's decision to feature Moss alongside renowned Dutch painter Piet Mondrian sparked a reevaluation of their artistic relationship. Research suggests that Moss may have actually influenced Mondrian's work on double lines, a technique used in neoplasticism, rather than the other way around.
Moss, born Marjorie Jewel Moss in 1889, was a trailblazing artist who defied conventions with her androgynous style and identity. She studied art before moving to Paris, where she became part of the avant-garde scene and joined the Abstraction-Creation group. It was during this time that she met Mondrian through his partner, writer Netty Nijhoff.
The relationship between Moss and Mondrian has been reexamined in light of recent discoveries about Moss's work. In 2025, a suitcase containing her sketches and other artworks was acquired by the Kunstmuseum, providing new insights into her creative process and artistic style.
While Mondrian is widely regarded as one of the greatest Dutch painters, Moss's contributions to neoplasticism have been largely overlooked. However, research suggests that Moss may have used similar techniques to those employed by Mondrian, including the use of double lines in her compositions.
Moss's legacy extends beyond her artistic achievements. As a lesbian woman who identified as male and lived openly with her partner, Nijhoff, she challenged societal norms and expectations. Her life story is one of courage, resilience, and creativity.
The exhibition at the Kunstmuseum aims to shift the focus from Moss's personal history to her art, providing a more nuanced understanding of her contributions to neoplasticism. The show will feature 10 sculptures, including some that were lost over the years, as well as photographs and other artworks.
Lucy Howarth, author of an upcoming biography on Moss, notes that art history has traditionally been dominated by singular male figures. However, recent research is revealing a more complex and diverse canon, with many lesser-known artists who challenged societal norms and expectations.
The rediscovery of Moss's work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and diversity in art history. By examining the contributions of women and queer artists, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artistic movements that shaped our world.
In 1972, the Kunstmuseum in Hague acquired three paintings by Marlow Moss, a British artist whose work was largely overlooked until now. The art gallery's decision to feature Moss alongside renowned Dutch painter Piet Mondrian sparked a reevaluation of their artistic relationship. Research suggests that Moss may have actually influenced Mondrian's work on double lines, a technique used in neoplasticism, rather than the other way around.
Moss, born Marjorie Jewel Moss in 1889, was a trailblazing artist who defied conventions with her androgynous style and identity. She studied art before moving to Paris, where she became part of the avant-garde scene and joined the Abstraction-Creation group. It was during this time that she met Mondrian through his partner, writer Netty Nijhoff.
The relationship between Moss and Mondrian has been reexamined in light of recent discoveries about Moss's work. In 2025, a suitcase containing her sketches and other artworks was acquired by the Kunstmuseum, providing new insights into her creative process and artistic style.
While Mondrian is widely regarded as one of the greatest Dutch painters, Moss's contributions to neoplasticism have been largely overlooked. However, research suggests that Moss may have used similar techniques to those employed by Mondrian, including the use of double lines in her compositions.
Moss's legacy extends beyond her artistic achievements. As a lesbian woman who identified as male and lived openly with her partner, Nijhoff, she challenged societal norms and expectations. Her life story is one of courage, resilience, and creativity.
The exhibition at the Kunstmuseum aims to shift the focus from Moss's personal history to her art, providing a more nuanced understanding of her contributions to neoplasticism. The show will feature 10 sculptures, including some that were lost over the years, as well as photographs and other artworks.
Lucy Howarth, author of an upcoming biography on Moss, notes that art history has traditionally been dominated by singular male figures. However, recent research is revealing a more complex and diverse canon, with many lesser-known artists who challenged societal norms and expectations.
The rediscovery of Moss's work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and diversity in art history. By examining the contributions of women and queer artists, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artistic movements that shaped our world.
. It's crazy to think that her art was largely overlooked for so long, especially considering how influential she might have been on Mondrian's style. As someone who loves art history, it's amazing to see how researchers are working hard to uncover the stories of these forgotten artists 
. And I gotta say, Moss's legacy extends way beyond just her art - her courage and resilience in living openly as a lesbian woman is truly inspiring 
. I'm excited to check out this exhibition at the Kunstmuseum and learn more about her contributions to neoplasticism 
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its crazy to think about how art history has been dominated by male figures for so long, but i love that we're seeing a shift towards inclusivity now 
i mean, moss's bravery in living openly as a lesbian woman in a time when it was super taboo is truly inspiring 
. but moss's work is like, totally underrated & i cant wait for the exhibition at the kunstmuseum! gotta get more knowledge about this talented artist & her contributions to neoplasticism 
she's like, totally been overlooked for decades and now her art is getting some love but let's be real, piet mondrian was way more famous anyway 
he gets to be the face of neoplasticism while moss does her own thing in the background 
and yeah, maybe she did influence him, but so what? 
I mean, I'm all for giving credit to some of these lesser-known artists but this whole thing feels like a publicity stunt to me. Like, what's next? Giving recognition to every forgotten artist from the 19th century? 
. It's wild to think that she might have actually influenced Mondrian's work on double lines... I mean, who knew? 
The fact that researchers are reexamining their assumptions about art history is so exciting - it shows us that there's always more to learn and discover! 
I'm so stoked to see Marlow Moss getting the recognition she deserves! It's wild to think that this trailblazing artist was part of the same avant-garde scene as Mondrian, but her work was totally overlooked till now 
? I love that they're featuring 10 sculptures, including some lost ones, and other artworks. It's like, finally getting the recognition Moss deserved all those years ago!