Chloe Nelkin visits the exhibition Mondrian, Nicholson: In Parallel at The Courtauld Gallery, London, on view through May 20, 2012.

Nelkin writes that "The exhibition explores the creative relationship between Piet Mondrian and Ben Nicholson… When Nicholson first visited Mondrian's studio in 1934 he had to rest in a café afterwards to try to take in what he had just seen – the elegant serenity of the works, the ambience of the studio and the energy of Mondrian himself. This visit marked the beginning of a fascinating friendship that lasted until Mondrian’s death."