artLIVE — Although the Bauhaus movement lasted only 14 years, its style has had a profound influence on modern art.
Throughout the 20th century, various styles left their mark on modern art. What sets Bauhaus apart, however, is its integration of multiple media, materials, and principles. Even today, Bauhaus is regarded as one of the most influential design and architectural styles of all time.
The origins of the Bauhaus style
The Bauhaus style emerged at the Staatliches Bauhaus, originally an art school in Germany that operated from 1919 to 1934. German architect Walter Gropius strongly opposed the rapid industrialization of the era, which he felt had neglected artistic quality and human-centered values, creating a profound divide between fine arts (painting and sculpture) and applied arts (interior design, graphic design, and architecture).
Gropius used the German word “Bau,” meaning “building.” However, his vision extended beyond architecture — he aspired to unify all arts and crafts under one roof and to establish a school that integrated fine arts with applied arts.
Although the Bauhaus school ceased operations in 1933, the Bauhaus style endured, giving rise to a new form of architecture characterized by simple, beautiful, functional designs that could be mass-produced.
Key characteristics of the Bauhaus style
Bauhaus architecture is defined by functional forms and abstract shapes that are seldom used for decorative purposes, simple color schemes, and the use of basic industrial materials such as concrete, steel, and glass. Its design philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating form and function seamlessly.
Functional Forms
A hallmark of the Bauhaus style is the minimal—or nearly nonexistent—use of ornamentation, with focus instead on a rational, cohesive design. Many Bauhaus buildings feature flat roofs to achieve a simple geometric look, while chairs are often constructed with tubular steel frames emphasizing clean, angular lines.
Bauhaus designs prioritize functionality and simplicity, featuring geometric shapes with minimal extraneous details. Notably, abstract forms—rarely used for decoration in other styles—became a prominent feature in Bauhaus architecture and design.
Simple color schemes
The Bauhaus style emphasizes cohesion and simplicity, so its color schemes are generally limited to basic tones such as white, gray, and beige. In interior design, red, yellow, and blue are commonly used. Occasionally, colors are combined, but always in a deliberate and intentional manner.
Industrial materials
Since the original goal of the Bauhaus style emphasized simplicity and industrial principles, it typically incorporates as few different materials as possible. The materials selected are modern and industrial in nature, including glass, concrete, and steel.
Asymmetry in Unity
The Bauhaus style seeks visual balance through asymmetry in design. Perfect symmetry was often considered too industrial and lacking artistic warmth. Therefore, Bauhaus designers worked to harmonize buildings and interiors by unifying recurring elements throughout the space, without creating two completely identical sides.
A prime example of this is the Bauhaus building in Dessau, Germany, which features multiple shapes and angles while maintaining cohesion through its white façade and expansive window design.
Holistic Design
One of the core principles of the Bauhaus style is the integration of design into all aspects of life, including city planning, street corners, building architecture, interior design, utensils, tableware, and typography. This comprehensive approach requires architects to prioritize these principles in every decision when designing a room or a building.
Bauhaus philosophy and design principles
Form follows function
The core motto of the Bauhaus style is “form follows function”. This emphasizes creating modern and refined designs while focusing on the functionality of every element.
In Bauhaus designs, when the shape of an object supports its function, the visual elements must also maintain aesthetic appeal. By eliminating unnecessary decorative elements, Bauhaus artists aimed to capture the essence of each object. In other words, Bauhaus was founded on a philosophy of simplicity, avoiding ostentation and excess, prioritizing function over ornamentation.
Emphasis on minimalism
A key feature of many Bauhaus designs is simplicity. Bauhaus artists aimed to make their works easily understandable, whether they were working with typography, poster design, illustrations, or other media.
The path to accessibility, practicality, and maintaining aesthetic value is remarkably simple. White spaces, unembellished yet striking forms, and basic color schemes are employed to create beauty through simplicity.
Innovating design methods
For Bauhaus, the concept is as important as the actual design work. This style demands the development of new design production methods, opening the door to alternative approaches and ways of thinking.
Bauhaus artists believed that innovative learning and creative practices would influence how we perceive and understand the world. Innovation remains a crucial aspect of modern design, inseparable from creativity. To develop original ideas and better solutions, design must remain in a continuous state of innovation.
The influence of Bauhaus on Modern art
By combining multiple art forms, the Bauhaus style created the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, or “total work of art.” In Bauhaus, different art forms could communicate with and influence one another, rather than existing separately within painting, sculpture, or architecture.
As a result, Bauhaus had a profound impact across many fields, leaving a lasting influence on modern art. It revolutionized design at the time, changing how aesthetics were perceived and emphasizing buildings, furniture, and materials that were simple and functional. These influences continue to resonate today, visible in modern art and architecture, particularly in Scandinavian minimalism.
Bauhaus had a major impact on art and architectural trends in Western Europe, Canada, the United States, and Israel in the decades following its dissolution. Some Bauhaus artists designed and built over 4,000 Bauhaus-style buildings, known as the White City in Tel Aviv, Israel, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
The Bauhaus style remains one of the most influential design movements of the 20th century and an important part of art history.
References
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