Working with color is a challenge.
Having an understanding of its powerand how to achieve the color relationships you wantis vital for any practicing artist.
The 20th-century artist andBauhauseducator created abstract works that explore the relationship between hues via simple forms.
He was an accomplished artist and produced many pieces in his studio that are in museums today.
Albers was also a college professor whose teachings live on through his 1963 book titledInteraction of Color.
The seminal text recorded Albers experimental way of studying color and teaching it.
Who was Josef Albers?
Albers learned many of these skills from his parents growing up, including glass engraving and plumbing.
In early adulthood, he studied to become a teacher.
Albers taught primary school from 1908 to 1913 and became a certified art teacher in 1915.
His first commissioned piece wasRosa Mystica Ora Pro Nobisdesigned for St. Michaels Church around 1917.
Unfortunately, it was destroyed during WWII.
(It was later reproduced in 2011 and installed in its original location.)
At Bauhaus, Albers taught a basic design course to new students.
In addition to his work in glass and metal, he also designed furniture and typography.
The couple stayed at the school, eventually moving to Berlin until it closed in 1933 due to Nazism.
Immigrating to the United States
After Bauhaus closed, the Albers came to the U.S. Albersdespite speaking no Englishbecame head of a new experimental art school at Black Mountain College in rural North Carolina.
The school sought to merge art and life, study and play.
He would teach there until 1949.
Homages to the Square
Albers began his most famous series of works in 1949.
But beyond this straightforward premise, Albers created optical effects using color and spatial relationships.
(Anyone who has ever worked with hues, in a creative sense, likely knows this firsthand.)
The book was published as a paperback in 1971.
It was (and still is) meant for creatives to work alongside it.
Additionally, it goes over light, intensity, and illusions made by hues.
Interaction of Coloris challenging but impactful for artists who work through it.
If you are interested in expanding your skills, grab some colored paper and crack openthe book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Josef Albers known for?
Why was Josef Albers' work important?
Through his bookInteraction of Color, his legacy continues.
