Who started the Bauhaus? Walter Gropius launched a movement that merged art and function. This article covers the origins, philosophy, key figures, curriculum, and lasting influence of the Bauhaus movement for readers interested in design history, architecture, and modern art. Understanding Bauhaus history reveals the roots of modern design principles still used today, showing how the movement’s ideas continue to shape homes and creative spaces around the world.
Last Updated: Mar 12, 2025 at 02:01pm
Who Started the Bauhaus? Walter Gropius and the Founding of the School
Who started the Bauhaus? The answer begins with architect Walter Gropius. In 1919, he founded the Staatliches Bauhaus in Weimar, Germany—a design school and art school that would go on to influence modern design across the globe. The Bauhaus was established by merging the legacy of the Grand Ducal Saxon School and the Weimar Academy, forming what became known as the Weimar school during its founding era. The Bauhaus operated from 1919 to 1933 in three German cities: Weimar (the original location), Dessau, and Berlin.
The Bauhaus was influenced by earlier artistic movements such as the Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, and Russian Constructivism. These influences shaped its radical approach to uniting fine and applied arts, as well as its emphasis on craftsmanship and practical technique.
Gropius’s vision included merging artistic disciplines into a total work of art, called Gesamtkunstwerk, aiming to unite all forms of fine arts, crafts, and industry into a cohesive design philosophy. The Bauhaus wasn’t just a school of art or architecture. It was a new approach to how people lived and worked, combining functionality with aesthetics. Gropius believed that art, design, and craftsmanship should be taught together, eliminating the hierarchy between fine art and applied arts. The Bauhaus became a cultural movement that sought to unify art, design, and everyday life, rejecting traditional and nationalist design principles in favor of modernity and inclusivity. The goal? To bring thoughtful, useful design into everyday life.
The Bauhaus moved to Dessau in 1925, where it experienced its most productive period, and then to Berlin in 1932. The school closed in 1933 under pressure from the Nazi regime, which viewed it as a center of progressive and left-leaning ideas.
The Philosophy Behind the Bauhaus School
Walter Gropius envisioned a place where painters, architects, sculptors, and designers could learn from each other. The Bauhaus motto, “Art into Industry,” reflected a belief in the unity of art and function.
Gesamtkunstwerk: The Total Work of Art
Gropius’s vision included merging artistic disciplines into a total work of art, called Gesamtkunstwerk, aiming to unite all forms of fine arts, crafts, and industry into a cohesive design philosophy. This concept meant that every element of a space—from architecture to furniture to decorative objects—should work together harmoniously as part of a unified whole.
Uniting Fine Arts, Crafts, and Industry
The Bauhaus sought to integrate all the arts—including architecture, painting, sculpture, crafts, and design—into a single, holistic movement. The school's curriculum included a six-month preliminary course that immersed students in the study of materials, color theory, and formal relationships, followed by specialized workshops in various crafts and design disciplines.
Functionality and Aesthetics
Instead of creating isolated art objects, students were encouraged to design chairs, lamps, textiles, and buildings with both form and utility in mind. Interior design, furniture design, and wall painting were central to the Bauhaus philosophy, each integrated with other art forms to create unified, functional spaces. The Bauhaus emphasized the use of simple geometric forms that could be reproduced easily, and the importance of designing for mass production—principles that became central to modernist design and architecture.
The Bauhaus Style and Its Influence
This emphasis on structure, balance, and geometric order became the signature of the Bauhaus style, which became one of the most influential currents in modern design and architecture. The Bauhaus style is closely associated with modernist architecture and helped shape the International Style, influencing architectural movements worldwide. The influence of the Bauhaus can still be felt today—in everything from typography and furniture to web design and modern homes.
Key Figures Who Built the Movement
While Gropius founded the Bauhaus, he wasn’t alone in shaping its direction. Artists and educators brought new ideas to the school’s workshops, expanding the movement’s focus and helping students explore materials, space, and abstract form. Key figures include:
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Walter Gropius: Founder and director from 1919 to 1928, established the school’s vision and curriculum.
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Paul Klee: Painter and instructor, known for his innovative teaching methods and exploration of color theory.
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Wassily Kandinsky: Painter and instructor, contributed to the development of abstract art and color studies.
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László Moholy-Nagy: Artist and educator, led the metal workshop and later founded the New Bauhaus in Chicago.
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Josef Albers: Artist and educator, taught the preliminary course and later became influential in American art education.
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Hannes Meyer: Swiss architect, director after Gropius, emphasized the social function of architecture and design.
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Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Architect and final director, known for his architectural philosophies and influence on the International Style.
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Marcel Breuer: Prominent Bauhaus artist, became known for innovative furniture design.
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Anni Albers: Textile artist, pioneered new approaches to weaving and fabric design.
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Marianne Brandt: First woman to direct the metal workshop, known for her work in metal design.
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Herbert Bayer: Graphic designer, contributed to the development of Bauhaus typography.
Together, these figures built a culture that celebrated experimentation and discipline—a rare combination that made Bauhaus work so distinctive. Many key figures of the Bauhaus emigrated to the United States during World War II, where they taught at graduate schools such as Harvard University and influenced future generations of architects and designers, leaving a profound legacy on American architectural education.
The Bauhaus Curriculum
The Bauhaus curriculum set a new standard for art education by blending fine arts, crafts, and modern technology into a single, cohesive program. Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus school aimed to break down barriers between disciplines, encouraging students to approach design as a unified practice. This approach was rooted in the belief that modern art and modernist architecture should serve everyday life, not just exist as isolated works.
Preliminary Course
At the core of the Bauhaus curriculum was the preliminary course, where visual artists like Paul Klee and Josef Albers introduced students to the fundamentals of color, form, and material properties. This early training emphasized hands-on experimentation, allowing students to understand how different materials—wood, metal, textiles—could be used in both fine art and functional design.
Workshops
After the preliminary course, students moved into specialized workshops, each led by innovative instructors:
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Weaving Workshop: Led by Gunta Stölzl and Anni Albers, this workshop became a center for exploring new textile techniques and materials, shaping the Bauhaus aesthetic in both art and industry.
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Metal Workshop: Guided by László Moholy-Nagy and Marianne Brandt, the metal workshop produced lighting and tableware that reflected the school’s commitment to functional design and mass production.
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Other Workshops: Included ceramics, woodworking, wall painting, and stagecraft, each integrating modern technology and industrial processes.
These workshops were not just about craft—they were laboratories for applying modern technology and industrial processes to everyday objects.
Advanced Courses
Advanced courses in architecture, graphic design, and industrial design built on this foundation. Students learned about steel frame construction, glass curtain walls, and other innovations that would define modern architecture. The Bauhaus emphasis on uniting art and industry prepared graduates to work across disciplines, shaping the future of design schools and influencing the development of modern architecture worldwide.
The curriculum was not without its challenges. Under the leadership of Hannes Meyer, the school faced debates over the social role of architecture and the importance of mass production, reflecting broader tensions in art education during the interwar years. Despite these difficulties, the Bauhaus model remained a source of creativity and experimentation.
After World War II, the influence of the Bauhaus curriculum spread internationally. Former faculty and students brought its principles to institutions like Harvard University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Black Mountain College. The New Bauhaus in Chicago, founded by László Moholy-Nagy, continued the tradition of interdisciplinary education. Today, the Bauhaus curriculum stands as a model for uniting art, technology, and industry—an approach that continues to shape how artists, designers, and architects are trained around the world.
The Bauhaus and Modern Living: Influence on Modern Design
Bauhaus principles are still deeply connected to how we style interiors today. The Bauhaus building in Dessau, an iconic example of Bauhaus architecture, was designed by Walter Gropius as a new building for the school in 1925. This Bauhaus building featured innovative elements such as a glass curtain wall, extensive glass walls, and steel-frame construction—hallmarks of modernist architecture. These features allowed for open, light-filled interiors and set a precedent for functional, transparent spaces in modern design. Clean lines, uncluttered surfaces, and geometric wall art all trace back to the school’s influence. If you’re drawn to simplicity and structure in your space, you’re likely following in the Bauhaus tradition. To see how this influence translates into everyday decor, explore our posters for the living room. Many of the pieces echo the movement’s core ideas—clarity, balance, and visual rhythm made for modern walls.
Why It Still Matters
The question “Who started the Bauhaus?” opens a window into a larger conversation about design. Major Bauhaus exhibitions, such as those at the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum, have celebrated the school's history and influence, highlighting its ongoing relevance. Walter Gropius sparked more than a style—he launched a way of thinking that connects art with daily life. The Bauhaus style became one of the most influential currents in modern design and modernist architecture, as seen in its continued presence in museum collections and exhibitions. From architecture to interiors, the Bauhaus taught us that beauty doesn’t have to be ornate and that functionality doesn’t mean dull. It’s this mindset that keeps the movement alive in homes, studios, and creative spaces around the world.
