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Dimensions: measurements 75cm. high by 158cm. wide by 40cm. deep; alternate measurements 2ft 5½in., 5ft 2¼in., 1ft 3¾in.

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Provenance: Johannes Itten;Thence by decent.

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Notes: THIS AND THE FOLLOWING TWO LOTS ARE FROM THE PROPERTY OF CHRISTIAN AND CAROLA ITTEN, GRANDCHILDREN OF JOHANNES ITTEN
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 the 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 'Vorkurs', 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 alive and Itten couldn't see this go hand in hand with individualism. Itten eventually founded his own school in Berlin in 1926, known later as the Itten School. It was here that he designed the current lots for his private home.