The Bauhaus movement and De Stijl, both pivotal in early 20th-century modernism, embraced abstraction but diverged significantly in their artistic expressions. Bauhaus bronze sculptures, rooted in functionalism and craftsmanship, often featured dynamic, organic forms that balanced industrial materials with artistic experimentation. Artists like Oskar Schlemmer infused humanistic elements, blending geometry with subtle curves to evoke movement and emotion.

In contrast, De Stijl works, epitomized by Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg, adhered strictly to rigid geometric grids, primary colors, and flat planes, rejecting any semblance of naturalism. Their art avoided sculptural depth entirely, favoring two-dimensional compositions that embodied universal harmony through pure abstraction.

While Bauhaus sculptures celebrated materiality and tactile engagement, De Stijl prioritized visual austerity, reflecting their philosophical split: Bauhaus sought unity between art and industry, whereas De Stijl pursued an idealized, almost mathematical purity. These distinctions highlight how modernist movements reinterpreted abstraction through distinct cultural lenses.