Final answer:
Peter de Hooch achieves harmony and unity through the strategic use of rectangles in his painting, contributing to the artwork's sense of balance, stability and cohesiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peter de Hooch creates harmony and unity in particular with his use of rectangles throughout his painting. In the world of art, unity conveys a sense of completeness and cohesiveness, bringing a pleasing effect and cohesiveness to the artwork. The arrangement of rectangles and other patterns work together to bring unity to the painting. Also, the repetitive use of this shape can promote a sense of balance within the artwork, contributing to its formal and stable appearance, as can be seen in the symmetrical compositions characterized by balance and symmetry.
While rhythm or movement can be depicted through the use of repetition, typically to demonstrate movement or expanse, de Hooch's rectangles contribute more to the balance and stability within the composition of his painting, rather than providing a sense of motion or rhythmic progression.
The usage of the rectangles brings a visual balance to the composition, further exemplified by artists like Piet Mondrian, who relied on nonrepresentational forms to create visual impact in their work. Therefore, Peter de Hooch integrates these elements to achieve a visually harmonious and balanced artwork through his strategic use of geometric forms.