The Bauhaus

Throughout the XX century many art movements helped form modern art. While many of these movements which included surrealism and expressionism (which were about painting) the Bauhaus movement covered a big amount of mediums and materials.

From graphic design and painting all the way to interior design and architecture, the Bauhaus movement influenced many of the European experimental art forms in the 1920s and 30s.
Even though it is often associated to Germany this movement attracted and inspired many artists from many different origins. Up to today it’s influence still is visible in art and design all over the world, from suburban streets to museum walls.

The Bauhaus which literally translates to “house of architecture” started off as a German school of arts in the early XX century. Founded by Walter Gropius, the school later became its own modern art movement characterized by its unique focus towards architecture and design. The Bauhaus is recognized for its particular style which creatively combines fine arts with hand crafts and for its long lasting influence on contemporary and modern art.

The movement can be defined as a combination from the arts and crafts movement and the modernism movement. The Bauhaus typical designs no matter if they are paintings, interior design or architecture only present a little decoration and are made up of balanced and abstract shapes.

This characteristics are very clear in the balanced compositions of the abstract paintings by some of the artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. Inspired by architecture, Bauhaus painters know how to combine and add flat shapes to give dimension to the pieces.

Aside from paintings, Bauhaus paintings produced abstract sculptures, avant-garde collages and modernist posters with wild typography and colour blocks. Some Bauhaus buildings, the Bauhaus Dessau included have become tourist attractions, and the most prestigious modern art museums globally have bauhaus master pieces permanently displayed.