Johannes Itten

Johannes Itten, ca. 1920

Johannes Itten (1888-1967) was a Swiss expressionist painter, designer, teacher, writer and theorist associated with the Bauhaus school. He practiced vegetarianism and meditation, and was heavily influenced by Theosophy.

Personal life and education

Johannes Itten was born in Südern-Linden, Switzerland on November 11, 1889. He trained as an elementary school teacher during the years 1904 to 1908. His teaching methods were inspired by Friedrich Fröbel and Ernst Schneider. He studied further at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva and Bern-Hofwil Teachers' Academy. In 1912, he returned to Geneva, where he studied abstract painting under Eugène Gilliard.

Artistic career

Itten opened a private art school in Vienna, and then went on in 1919 to 1922 to teach at the Bauhaus [Staatliches Bauhaus].

He died on March 25, 1967.

Additional resources

Articles

• Johannes Itten in Wikipedia.
• 6 Facts About Johannes Itten, the Famous Bauhaus Teacher by Anastasiia Kirpalov.