Piet Mondrian spent the first eight years of his life at Kortegracht 11, then a damp house in the poor part of Amersfoort. The double-sized residence contained the school for Christian national education where Mondrian's father was headmaster as well as the family home.
Mondrian was exposed to art at home at an early age. His father was a skilled and enthusiastic draughtsman, and Mondrian recalled that he “was always drawing”. Still, years later, Piet Mondriaan Sr was not pleased when his son decided he wanted to be an artist. He viewed teaching as a safer future path and encouraged Mondrian to get a diploma in drawing so he would have it as an option.