Proto-Form (B) 1938

Josef Albers created this intriguing abstract image, Proto-Form (B), using oil on masonite. Albers was a key figure in the Bauhaus movement in Germany, an institution renowned for its emphasis on the synthesis of art, craft, and technology, aiming to dissolve the traditional hierarchies between fine and applied arts. This work, with its exploration of form and color, reflects Albers' broader interest in how we perceive visual relationships. His move to the United States in the 1930s, due to the rise of Nazism and the closure of the Bauhaus, led to a teaching career, and it was through education that Albers continued to influence the development of abstract art, challenging conventional artistic norms. To understand Albers' contributions fully, scholars often delve into Bauhaus archives, exploring the school's curriculum, its social and political context, and the dialogues between artists. It highlights the value of art as a reflection of cultural and institutional dynamics.