Mondrian fled Europe in 1940, settling in New York at 68. The city's neon grid and vibrant jazz scene completely transformed his art. He became obsessed with boogie-woogie music, dancing to it regularly at clubs. This painting is his attempt to make you see that music — the yellow lines are Manhattan's streets, the coloured squares are the beat. He died in 1944, months after completing it. It sold for $900. Today it is priceless.