Deeply influenced by Piet Mondrian (1872–1944) and the Dutch geometric abstractionists, Burgoyne Diller developed compositions of rectilinear shapes and primary colors (in addition to black, white, and gray) that eschewed traditional realism and aimed toward a more universal visual language. In alternating the thickness of his lines and pairing strong colors (red) with weak ones (yellow), Diller deployed simple geometry and a familiar palette to hint at the slightest changes in depth while also asserting the two-dimensionality of the picture plane.