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book (design) story #55

johannes itten:
die farbe

kunstgewerbemuseum, zürich, 1944
printer: gewerbeschule der stadt zürich
size: 21 x 15 cm
designer: max bill

swiss painter johannes itten (1888-1967) had been an important figure at the bauhaus in weimar between 1919 and 1923. later he ran his own art school in berlin. in 1938 he returned to switzerland and was appointed director of the school and museum of applied arts in zürich.

itten wrote a catalogue text for this 1944 exhibition about "colour in nature, art, science and technology" .

the designer of the stunning catalogue cover is not credited. it is by max bill (1908-1994), and featured in the catalogue of his graphic design work, on page 61 (isbn 3721203410).