Principles and aesthetics of the Bauhaus movement
The German Bauhaus Chess Set is a unique and historically significant piece of design that represents the principles and aesthetics of the Bauhaus movement. Bauhaus, meaning “House of Building,” was a German art school that existed from 1919 to 1933. It combined crafts and fine arts, and is widely considered to be the birthplace of modernist design. The Bauhaus Chess Set, designed by Josef Hartwig, embodies the simplicity, functionality, and creativity that were central to the Bauhaus movement.
Josef Hartwig: student at the Bauhaus School
The history of the German Bauhaus Chess Set dates back to the early 1920s, when Josef Hartwig, a student at the Bauhaus School, designed a set of chess pieces as part of a workshop project. The project was meant to demonstrate how design could be used to improve everyday life, and Hartwig’s chess set was a perfect example of this philosophy. The pieces were made of simple geometric shapes, such as cylinders and cubes, and were designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
One of the key characteristics of the German Bauhaus Chess Set is its simplicity. The pieces are made of clean, unadorned shapes that are easy to understand and manipulate. This simplicity makes the set easy to use and visually appealing, and it reflects the Bauhaus ideal of functional design. The pieces are also very lightweight, which makes them easy to handle, and they have a smooth, glossy finish that gives them a modern and sophisticated look.
Another important characteristic of the German Bauhaus Chess Set is its versatility. The pieces can be used for playing chess, but they can also be used as abstract sculptures or decorative objects. This versatility makes the set a great addition to any home, and it reflects the Bauhaus idea of creating objects that can be used in multiple ways.