A Burr walnut coffee table by Johannes Itten

German, c 1930

“Itten’s photograph from 1920 portrays a man who appears to be disciplined, serious and determined. His unusual appearance might be puzzling: the shaved head of a priest, the self designed robes. But it all fits into the picture of this early master at the Bauhaus.  Itten joined it in October 1919 teaching the preliminary course. His focus lay in the study of objects and materials, analysis of Old Masters and life drawing. He was aware of the newly established educational reform theory and was familiar with the artists of avant-garde. In more practical terms this meant that he wanted his students to find their inner being and develop a well tuned personality. He started his class with breathing exercises and gymnastics and let his students decide whose work was the best. People either admired him or hated him profoundly.  Nontheless he was quite rightly described as the backbone of the Bauhaus. His ‘Vorkus’, the preliminary course, was continued in a very similar style even after he left the institution. It is said that it was his passion for the development of the individual which eventually led to a fall out with Walter Gropius, the director of the Bauhaus. The latter was of the opinion that commercial work was essential to keep the school individualism. Itten eventually founded his own school in Berlin in 1926, known later as the Itten School.”

A Rare coffee table designed by Johannes Itten, c. 1930. Shortly after leaving the Bauhaus in 1922 as a professor of the preliminary course, Itten formed his own school in Berlin and it was during this period he designed these for his own home.  A simple design that shows off the beauty of the wood in its surface.

Provenance: Johannes Itten;

                     Thence by decent

Mint restored condition

TMF1113

13.5H  40W  47.25D