As mesmerizing as Anni Albers’ weavings and prints are, her art represents only a fraction of her achievement. In addition to being one of the most important textile artists of the 20th century, she was a designer, writer and teacher.
Albers was born Annelise Fleischmann in 1899 to a well-to-do Jewish family in Berlin. She studied at the School of Applied Art in Hamburg and then attended the Bauhaus, the utopian workshop founded in Weimar in 1919 by architect Walter Gropius.
The school envisioned a unity of art and design, with the goal of training designers and artisans who could create objects both functional and artistic for mass production. At the Bauhaus, where women’s choices for study were limited, the aspiring Albers ended up in the weaving workshop. Although she initially perceived the discipline as unserious, once she had a thread in hand, she was obsessed.
“I heard Paul Klee speak, and he said to take a line for a walk, and I thought, ‘I will take thread everywhere I can,’” she once told Nicholas Fox Weber, executive director of the Albers Foundation.
At the Bauhaus, Anni met and married fellow student Josef Albers, who would later become a celebrated color theorist and painter. His “Homage to the Square” paintings, which explored the relationships between colors, are now considered modernist masterpieces, and his treatment of color was crucial to the development of the Op art movement.
After graduating in 1930, Anni and Josef both became teachers at the Bauhaus, but when the Nazis came to power, the school was shut down. In 1933, fleeing the Nazis, the couple emigrated to the U.S., where they both became teachers at Black Mountain College, in North Carolina.
Black Mountain, which rejected educational norms and was known for its free-spirited atmosphere, produced many luminaries of modern American art — among them Robert Rauschenberg and Cy Twombly, both students of the Alberses’. In addition to teaching, Anni continued her own artistic practice, making what she called “pictorial weavings”: abstract wallhangings having the same formal qualities as a painting.
The Alberses were fascinated by Latin America even before they crossed the Atlantic, so from North Carolina, they made numerous road trips to Mexico and Peru to collect pre-Columbian art. The influence of the ceramics and textiles the couple discovered in their travels is clear in Anni’s work yet her approach to weaving was unorthodox.
Albers incorporated unusual materials such as cellophane and metallic thread. She intertwined linked threads in innovative ways and added knots as artistic elements, as in “Dotted” Weaving (1959). She created studies using corn kernels, grass, twisted paper, lines made with a typewriter and pin pricks.
In addition to her art pieces, Anni designed many functional textiles for mass production. In 1949, Gropius commissioned her to create fabrics for the Harvard dormitories he designed. Shortly afterward, she was commissioned to design fabrics for the furniture company Knoll. In the late ’50s, Anni began publishing books: On Designing, in 1959, and On Weaving, in 1965.
In her 60s, when it became difficult for her to operate a loom, Anni turned her energies to making prints. Beyond the increased recognition of weaving as an art form, another reason for the renewed interest in Anni’s work is that art history has now turned its lens on women artists who were previously overlooked.
Find Anni Albers rugs, wall decor and original prints on 1stDibs.
$28,000
Red Meander I /// Anni Albers Bauhaus Abstract Geometric Female Artist Screen
By Anni Albers
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Anni Albers (German-American, 1899-1994) Title: "Red Meander I" Portfolio: Meander *Signed and dated by Albers in pencil lower right Year: 1969-1970 Medium: Original Screenpr...
Screen
$4,528
Fox I
By Anni Albers
Located in Paris, FR
Offset, 1972 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 123/150 Catalog : Weber & Danilowitz 29 60.50 cm. x 50.50 cm. 23.82 in. x 19.88 in. (paper) 38.00 cm. x 34.00 cm. 14.96...
Offset
$20,000
Orange Meander /// Anni Albers Bauhaus Abstract Geometric Female Artist Screen
By Anni Albers
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Anni Albers (German-American, 1899-1994) Title: "Orange Meander" Portfolio: Meander *Signed and dated by Albers in pencil lower right Year: 1970 Medium: Original Screenprint ...
Screen
Anni Albers, ST - Original Screen Print from 1971, Geometric Abstraction
By Anni Albers
Located in Hamburg, DE
Anni Albers (1899-1994) ST, 1971 Medium: Screenprint on cardboard Dimensions: 83 × 62 cm (32 7/10 × 24 2/5 in) Edition: Hand-signed and numbered in pencil Condition: Very good
Screen
Untitled (Letter to Kathy) - Abstract Pen on Paper Drawing
By Anni Albers
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled", a rare and intimate mixed media on paper piece by Anni Albers, was a personal gift to its owner, Katherine Weber, wife of Albers Foundation president Nicholas Fox Weber, ...
Paper, Felt Pen
Anni Albers, ST - Original Screen Print from 1971, Geometric Abstraction
By Anni Albers
Located in Hamburg, DE
Anni Albers (1899-1994) ST, 1971 Medium: Screenprint on cardboard Dimensions: 83 × 62 cm (32 7/10 × 24 2/5 in) Edition: Not signed, not numbered outside the edition of 150. Condition...
Screen
$650
H 16 in W 20 in
Confrontation - line drawing women figures with white dandelions
By Mila Akopova
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Interior design paintings. The artwork was done with acrylic, watercolor and white felt pen on black watercolor paper 360g. The works are 11,5 by 16,5 inches in size, framed (black) ...
Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor, Felt Pen
Tropic Fruit
By Howard Hodgkin
Located in London, GB
80 x 94 cms (31.5 x 37 ins) Edition of 100
Color, Screen
$5,171
H 81 in W 134 in
1982 The Diver Paper Pool Australian National Gallery Poster
By David Hockney
Located in London, GB
A large scale original vintage poster created for David Hockney's 1982 exhibition at the Australian National Gallery in Canberra, based on his original artwork, A Diver, Paper Pool 1...
Paper, Offset
$60Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.5 in W 23.5 in D 0.1 in
Couronne d'Epines Offset Print, Abstract Expressionist Style, 1980s
By Alexej Jawlensky
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This poster reproduction of Alexei Jawlensky’s Crown of Thorns captures the artist’s bold Expressionist style and spiritual depth. The subject’s mask-like face, rendered in thick bru...
Offset
$3,000
H 31 in W 28.5 in D 2.25 in
Geometric Abstraction Color field silkscreen signed Artists Proof, Museum Frame
By Ludwig Sander
Located in New York, NY
LUDWIG SANDER Untitled geometric abstraction Artists Proof, aside from the regular edition of 90 Hand signed and annotated AP on the front Elegantly matted and framed in white wood m...
Screen
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 49 in W 32 in
Frankenthaler, Mary Mary 1991, New York City, Lincoln Center
By Helen Frankenthaler
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: After Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) Title: Mary Mary (Lincoln Center Honorary) Year: 1991 Medium: Offset lithograph poster on extra thick Somerset paper Edition: 2000 Size...
Lithograph, Offset
$1,800
H 24 in W 33 in
Düsseldorf (German Cities) by Dieter Roth monuments vintage postcard light blue
By Dieter Roth
Located in New York, NY
Düsseldorf (German Cities), 1970 24 x 33.8 in. / 61 x 86 cm Screen print in one color on offset lithograph, black on white card. “for Paul” written in pencil lower middle. Signed and...
Lithograph, Screen
$900
H 24.07 in W 36 in
Lee Krasner: A Retrospective - The Museum of Modern Art (Celebration) Poster
By Lee Krasner
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Lee Krasner (American, 1908-1984) Title: "Lee Krasner: A Retrospective - The Museum of Modern Art (Celebration)" *Signed and dated in the plate (printed signature) lo...
Lithograph, Offset
$60Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 19 in
Tapies Monotypes Offset Print, Abstract Style, Mid-20th Century
By Antoni Tàpies
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The poster titled Tapies Monotypes was produced for an exhibition showcasing the works of the renowned Catalan artist Antoni Tàpies at Galerie Maeght in Paris, held in June 1974. Thi...
Offset
$599
H 19.75 in W 12.75 in
Mid Century Op Art Concentric Circle Abstract Pattern Study Green Blue Ink
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century Op Art Concentric Circle Abstract Pattern Study Green Blue Ink Medium: Ink and pen on paper, mounted on larger backing sheet, unframed Size (Full sheet): 19.75 x ...
Ink, Felt Pen
Royal Curtain, Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Gene Davis (1920-1985) Title: Royal Curtain Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 41/250, plus proofs Size: 30 x 21.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Sig...
Screen
$1,000
H 43 in W 35 in
"Untitled" by Peter Plagens. (Abstract, Formalist, Symbolism, Geometric, Print)
Located in New York, NY
Peter Plagens (b. 1941) received his B.F.A. from the University of Southern California and his M.F.A. from Syracuse University. He is well known for his abstract, formalist paintings...
Screen
Sold
H 26.78 in W 26.78 in
Anni Albers (1899 - 1994) - Double Weave - Screenprint on Fabriano paper - 1985
By Anni Albers
Located in Varese, IT
Screenprint on Fabriano paper, edited in 1985. Limited edition of 125 copies, numbered as 46/125 in lower left corner. Hand-signed in pencil by artist in lower right corner. Plate s...
Paper, Screen
GR 1
By Anni Albers
Located in New York, NY
Screenprint in colors on Arches, 1970. Signed by the artist in pencil in lower right margin. Titled and numbered 76/100 in pencil lower left margin. Image is 16 x 20 inches; the f...
Screen
GR I, Eclat Pattern, Silkscreen by Anni Albers 1970
By Anni Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Anni Albers, German/American (1899 - 1994) Title: GR I Year: 1970 Medium: Screenprint on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 20 x 16 inches S...
Screen
Sold
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in
Anni Albers, ST - Screenprint from 1971, Abstract Geometric Art
By Anni Albers
Located in Hamburg, DE
Anni Albers (German-American, 1899–1994) ST, 1971 Medium: Screenprint on cardboard Dimensions: 32 7/10 × 24 2/5 in (83 × 62 cm) Edition: Unsigned and unnumbered print outside the edi...
Screen
Sold
H 30.71 in W 30.71 in
Anni Albers ( 1899 – 1994 ) – Intaglio with Triangles – hand-signed Screenprint
By Anni Albers
Located in Varese, IT
Screenprint on Fabriano paper , edited in 1985 Limited edition of 125 copies signed in pencil by artist and numbered as: 46/125 paper size: 68 x 68 cm ( 26 5/8 x 26 5/8 inch ) very g...
Paper, Lithograph, Screen
GR I, Eclat Pattern, Silkscreen by Anni Albers 1970
By Anni Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Anni Albers, German/American (1899 - 1994) Title: GR I Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 46/100 Image Size: 20 x 16 inches...
Screen
Line Involvement II
By Anni Albers
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
'Line Involvement II', lithograph, edition 20, 1964. Signed, annotated 'Bon à tirer II' in pencil by the artist. A superb, atmospheric impression with rich blacks, on heavy cream, wo...
Lithograph
GR I, Eclat Pattern, Framed Silkscreen by Anni Albers
By Anni Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Anni Albers, German/American (1899 - 1994) Title: GR I Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 20 x 16 inches Si...
Screen
GR I, Eclat Pattern, Framed Silkscreen by Anni Albers
By Anni Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Anni Albers, German/American (1899 - 1994) Title: GR I Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 20 x 16 inches Si...
Screen
GR I, Eclat Pattern, Framed Silkscreen by Anni Albers
By Anni Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Anni Albers, German/American (1899 - 1994) Title: GR I Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 20 x 16 inches Size: 29 x 24 in. ...
Screen
Sold
H 27 in W 19.5 in D 0.1 in
Triangulated Intaglios, 1972 from Connections 1925-1983
By Anni Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Anni Albers, German/American (1899 - 1994) Title: Triangulated Intaglios, 1972 from Connections 1925-1983 Year: 1984 Medium: Silkscreen, Signed and numbered in pencil Edition...
Screen
Untitled, Abstract Op Art Print
By Anni Albers
Located in Surfside, FL
Vintage Print, not signed or numbered on front, in original period metal frame, by artist Anni Albers. Berlin, Germany, b. June 12, 1899, d. May 9, 1994 Anni Albers was a German-American artist who worked primarily in textiles and, late in life, as a printmaker. She is considered the preeminent textile artist of the 20th century. Albers was born Annelise Else Frieda Fleischmann on June 12, 1899 in Berlin, Germany. Of Jewish descent, her mother was from an aristocratic family in the publishing industry and her father was a furnituremaker. Her interest in art and the visual world was seeded in her childhood and she began painting early on. While studying under an Impressionist from 1916 to 1919, she received harsh criticism from the artist Oskar Kokoschka who viewed her work and bluntly asked, why do you paint? Shortly thereafter, she left the comfort of her affluent lifestyle to attend art school, an environment that contrasted sharply with that of her upper class upbringing. In 1920, she attended the Kunstgewerbeschule in Hamburg for only two months but eventually arrived at the Bauhaus at Weimar in April of 1922. In her first year, she studied under Georg Muche and Johannes Itten. However, at the time, women were barred from pursuing certain disciplines at the school, particularly architecture. When she was not admitted to a glass workshop with her future husband Josef Albers, she reluctantly switched tracks to weaving. Under the instruction of Gunta Stölzl, Albers came to love the challenges unique to weaving's tactile construction. Anni and Josef...
Screen