As we wrap up our Women of Bauhaus course, it’s been incredible to discuss the complexities, untold stories, and far-reaching impact of the female visionaries who shaped Bauhaus beyond its dominant narratives. This week, we explored the themes of collaboration, resistance, survival, and influence that continue to resonate today. Let’s look back at some of the highlights.
The Complex Relationships Between the Bauhaus and the Nazis Administration
It’s impossible to discuss Bauhaus without addressing its entanglement with the politics of its time. While many Bauhaus leaders fled Nazi persecution, maintaining an image of exile and resistance, some—like Walter Gropius—stayed in good standing with the regime. Women like Lilly Reich designed exhibitions for the Nazis, and Marianne Brandt, known for her beautiful and functional napkin holders, worked for the Reichskulturkammer to survive the war years. These stories complicate the narrative of Bauhaus as a purely avant-garde movement disconnected from its political surroundings after it closed. However, this is largely a "masculine" story—most of the collaboration with the Nazis came from male students and teachers.
Female Resistance Fighters and Famous Female Artists
Some Bauhaus women actively resisted the Nazi regime, using their art and design skills to fight oppression. Edith Tudor-Hart, from Vienna, became a key figure in the resistance, using her talents to document early arrests—such as those during May Day parades in the early 1930s. She also put her Bauhaus training into practice by creating photos for forged identifications to help people escape the country quickly, showing how the school's principles of practicality and adaptability could be a powerful tool against authoritarianism.
Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky: Designing for Women and Freedom
Although not matriculated at Bauhaus, Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky collaborated closely with Bauhaus teachers and students. She is known as the first female architect in Austria and is best known for her creation of the Frankfurt Kitchen (1926), a revolutionary design aimed at improving efficiency and hygiene for women in the home. During World War II, she actively resisted the Nazis as part of the Communist underground, and after being arrested and sentenced to death (later reduced to 15 years in prison), she went on to continue her architecture work post-war, creating spaces designed specifically for women. Her story is one of perseverance, and her influence can still be felt—her apartment in Vienna stands as a testament to her life and work.
The Legacy of Bauhaus Women and Their Struggles
While many male Bauhaus members managed to obtain work permits outside of Europe during the rise of Nazism, women were often left with fewer options and greater risk. Many Bauhaus women were persecuted and killed by the Nazis, like Otti Berger, who perished at Auschwitz. The gender disparities in their opportunities for survival and escape remind us of the broader struggles women faced during this time.
The Bauhaus Beyond Europe
After the Bauhaus was closed by the Nazis, its legacy continued to spread across the globe. Institutions such as Harvard University School of Design and the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago carried forward its teachings. Meanwhile, Bauhaus architecture found a new home in Tel Aviv, often called the “White City” for its stunning Bauhaus-inspired buildings.
This influence is still evident in schools like Black Mountain College in North Carolina, which centered women artists in its programs, and the Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm (College for Design, Ulm, Germany). Black Mountain College in particular housed artists like Elizabeth Schmitt Jennerjahn, whose piece Cross (1949) carries forward Bauhaus principles.
Inspiration for Contemporary Design
We also examined how Bauhaus principles influenced contemporary design. Mary Bauermeister took Bauhaus ideas into new realms of assemblage and collage, while Dieter Rams brought its clean, functional aesthetics to the world of consumer electronics with Braun—later inspiring Jony Ive's iconic designs for Apple products like the iPod.
Continuing to Complicate the Narrative
From the early 20th century to today, the women of Bauhaus challenge us to rethink and expand our understanding of modernism. Each of these women's stories not only contributes to Bauhaus’s legacy but also reshapes how we understand the interplay of art, design, and social justice.
As we conclude our course, let's remember that Bauhaus was more than a movement—it was a space where the boundaries of design, art, politics, and identity were constantly negotiated, often by women whose names and legacies are just now being fully recognized. By learning their stories, we can better understand how Bauhaus continues to shape our world today.
Thank you for joining this journey into the world of famous female artists at the Bauhaus, and let's keep challenging the narratives and celebrating the incredible diversity of their legacies!
Want to learn more? Here's a curated reading list:
James-Chakraborty, Kathleen, ed. 2006. Bauhaus Culture : From Weimar to the Cold War. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Long R.-C.W. 2014. “Lucia Moholy’s Bauhaus Photography and the Issue of the Hidden Jew.” Woman’s Art Journal 35 (2): 37–46.
Müller, Ulrike, Ingrid Radewaldt, and Sandra Kemker. 2009. Bauhaus Women : Art, Handicraft, Design. English-language ed. Paris, London: Flammarion ; Thames & Hudson [distributor]. (This is a great place to start, providing introductions to more than 40 Bauahus women.)
Otto, Elizabeth, and Patrick Rössler. 2019. Bauhaus Bodies : Gender, Sexuality, and Body Culture in Modernism’s Legendary Art School. New York, NY, USA: Bloomsbury Visual Arts, Bloomsbury Publishing Inc.
Otto, Elizabeth. 2019. Haunted Bauhaus : Occult Spirituality, Gender Fluidity, Queer Identities, and Radical Politics. Cambridge, Massachusetts ; London, England: The MIT Press.
Smith, T’ai Lin. 2014. Bauhaus Weaving Theory : From Feminine Craft to Mode of Design. Minneapolis [u.a.]: Univ. of Minnesota Press.
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