mp's graphic art history blog: Homework #9

The Bauhaus and the New Typography

During the final years of the Bauhaus, artists like Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, and Josef Albers, breathed a new life into the art being designed at the time. Before the Nazi party shut down the Bauhaus in 1932, these professors changed the way we look at art today.

Paul Klee was a German-Swiss painter, born December 18, 1879 in Switzerland. He was surrounded by music when growing up. Both his parents were music teachers and encouraged him to pursue it, yet he was more interested in visual arts. Though he is most well known for his successful color theory, while studying at Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, he failed his color theory classes. Klee taught at the Bauhaus from 1921-1931, as a master of stained glass, mural paintings, and bookbinding. His sense of humor, background with music, and moods influenced much of his work during his career. Upon leaving the Bauhaus, he and Kandinsky traveled to the United States to lecture and exhibit their artworks. Klee demonstrated an amazing use of color and expressionism, which inspired thousands of artists around the world.

Wassily Kandinsky was born December 16, 1866 in Moscow. He is most known for being a painter and art theorist. Yet, he did not start drawing until the age of 30. During most of his younger years, he was studying law and economics in Moscow. Kandinsky realized that his passion was art and he began to study it. Soon he became a great enough artist to teach at the Bauhaus. From 1922-1932 he instructed the basic art class as well as the advanced color theory for students. His watercolor paintings bring a light and joyful feel to anyone who views them. Almost 100 years later and Kandinsky’s work still looks fresh and new.

Josef Albers was born March 19, 1888 in Germany. Growing up he immediately had an admiration for art. He began printmaking and even working with stained glass in his early years as an artist. Albers initially enrolled in Bauhaus in 1920, yet he was asked to join the faculty in 1922. When Albers first began working at Bauhaus, he was a professor or “master” of stained glass. Albers was also a crafts master at the school from 1925-1932. He produced many designs at the Bauhaus, from paintings to stained glass to furniture. Though he was a younger art professor at the school, he was highly respected by his works and designs. Once the Bauhaus was shut down, he moved to the United States where he continued his teaching and art career. Josef Albers formed the basis for the most influential art programs in the world, and still left a legacy with his own designs and artwork.

Though these artists’ careers were cut short in the Bauhaus, they still left a gift for many generations to come. I know that I personally have been largely influenced by each of these artists in my own work. Each have an amazing way to capture color and emotions in each design. Their names will truly go down in history.