If not for two Jews, Mondrian’s iconic paintings might’ve faded into obscurity

Red, yellow, blue, black, and white grids may not have graced umbrellas, handbags, and mugs if Dutchmen Louis Wijsenbeek and Salomon Slijper hadn’t intervened.

After Michelle Obama’s introduction, Baltimore painter Amy Sherald assumed the National Portrait Gallery podium on Feb. 12, 2018. Explaining the inspiration for her portrait of the former first lady, Sherald said the dress by Milly “has an abstract pattern that reminded me of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian’s geometric paintings.”

Comparing the colorful b…