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Max Bill Art

Swiss, 1908-1994

Max Bill was born in Winterthur, Switzerland. After an apprenticeship as a silversmith during 1924–27, he took up studies at the Bauhaus in Dessau under many teachers including Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee and Oskar Schlemmer from 1927 to 1929, after which he moved to Zurich.

After working on graphic designs for the few modern buildings being constructed, Bill built his first work, his own house and studio (1932–3) in Zurich-Höngg. From 1937 onward he was a prime mover behind the Allianz group of Swiss artists.

Bill is widely considered the single most decisive influence on Swiss graphic design beginning in the 1950s with his theoretical writing and progressive work. His connection to the days of modernism gave him special authority. As an industrial designer, his work is characterized by a clarity of design and precise proportions. Examples are the elegant clocks and watches designed for Junghans, a long-term client. Among Bill's most notable product designs is the Ulmer Hocker of 1954, a stool that can also be used as a shelf element, a speaker's desk, a tablet or a side table. Although the stool was a creation of both Bill's and Ulm School designer Hans Gugelot's, it is often called "Bill Hocker" because the first sketch of it on a cocktail napkin was Bill's work.

As a designer and artist, Bill sought to create forms which visually represent the New Physics of the early 20th century. He sought to create objects so that the new science of form could be understood by the senses: that is as a concrete art. Thus Bill is not a rationalist – as is typically thought – but rather a phenomenologist. He made spare geometric paintings, prints and spherical sculptures, some based on the Möbius strip, in stone, wood, metal and plaster. His architectural work included an office building in Germany, a radio studio in Zurich, and a bridge in eastern Switzerland.

Bill continued to produce architectural designs, such as those for a museum of contemporary art (1981) in Florence and for the Bauhaus Archive (1987) in Berlin. In 1982 he also entered a competition for an addition to the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, built to a design by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Pavillon-Skulptur, a large granite sculpture, was installed adjacent to the Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich in 1983. As is often the case with modern art in public places, the installation generated some controversy. Endlose Treppe, a sculpture made of North American granite, was designed for the philosopher Ernst Bloch.

In 1982 he was awarded the Sir Misha Black award and was added to the College of Medallists.

Bill executed many public sculptures in Europe and exhibited extensively in galleries and museums, including a retrospective at the Kunsthaus Zürich in 1968–69. He was the subject of retrospectives at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1974, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City in 1988.

Find vintage Max Bill stools, lighting, and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Artist: Max Bill
Untitled, from ‘The International Association of Art Portfolio’
By Max Bill
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
Untitled, from ‘The International Association of Art Portfolio’ By Max Bill Medium - Screen print Edition - 3/25 Signed - Yes Size - 640mm x 460mm Date...
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Mid-20th Century Abstract Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Munich Olympics Silkscreen by Max Bill 1972
By Max Bill
Located in Long Island City, NY
This silkscreen was created by Swiss architect, designer, and artist, Max Bill. Bill is widely considered the single most decisive influence on Swiss graphic design. He sought to create forms that visually represent the New Physics of the early 20th century. This print was published for the 1972 Munich...
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1970s Minimalist Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

"Untitled" serigraph and collage by Max Bill from the "Kinderstern" portfolio
By Max Bill
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Untitled" geometric abstract multi-color serigraph and collage by artist Max Bill from the "Kinderstern" portfolio, published in 1989 by Edition Domberger to raise money to house families of children hospitalized with cancer. Hand-numbered 66/100 in lower left corner. Hand-signed bill...
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1980s Abstract Geometric Max Bill Art

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Screen

Hommage à San Lazzaro
By Max Bill
Located in OPOLE, PL
Max Bill (1908-1994) - Hommage à San Lazzaro Lithograph from 1975. Edition 371/575 (Photocopy of the colophone is included). Dimensions of work: 31 x 24 cm. Each copy of this lit...
Category

1970s Modern Max Bill Art

Materials

Lithograph

Marlborough Galerie Zurich
By Max Bill
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This original lithographic poster was created for Max Bill's 1974 exhibition at Marlborough Galerie Zürich. A leading figure in the Concrete Art movement, Bill's work is celebrated f...
Category

1970s Abstract Max Bill Art

Materials

Lithograph

Geometric Composition - Original Lithograph
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, IDF
Max Bill Geometric composition, 1975 Original lithograph Unsigned and unnumbered as usual Limited edition of 575 copies On Arches vellum, size 35 x 27 cm (c. 14 x 10 in) Excellent ...
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1970s Abstract Geometric Max Bill Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled (Geometric Abstraction Minimalism) (~64% OFF - LIMITED TIME ONLY)
By Max Bill
Located in Kansas City, MO
Max Bill Composition with white center Color silkscreen Year: 1972 Edition: Edition for "Look at" Size: 23.3 × 23.3 inches Unsigned, unknown edition size (pres. ~2,000) - sometimes a...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Abstract Composition - Original Screen Print by Max Bill - 1970
By Max Bill
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Composition is an original Screen Print realized by Max Bill in 1970. Good conditions. Hand signed and dated, not numbered. The artwork is depicted harmonious colors in a ...
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1970s Abstract Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Abstract Composition - Screen Print by Max Bill - 1970s
By Max Bill
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract Composition is an original Screen Print realized by Max Bill in 1970s. Good conditions. The artwork is depicted harmonious colors in a well-balanced composition.
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1970s Abstract Geometric Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled (Geometric Abstraction Minimalism) (~50% OFF LIST PRICE - LIMITED TIME)
By Max Bill
Located in Kansas City, MO
Max Bill Abstract Geometric Composition Silkscreen on wove paper Year: 1971 Size: 13.7x11.82in Edition: 2500 Unsigned as issued COA provided Publisher: Edition Domberger Siebdruck, Filderstadt, Germany Ref.: 924802-1199 ------------------------------ (Geometric Abstraction, Minimalism, Constructivism) Max Bill (22 December 1908 – 9 December 1994) was a Swiss architect, artist, painter, typeface designer, industrial designer and graphic designer. Bill is widely considered the single most decisive influence on Swiss graphic design beginning in the 1950s with his theoretical writing and progressive work.[3] His connection to the days of the Modern Movement gave him special authority. As an industrial designer, his work is characterized by a clarity of design and precise proportions.[4] Examples are the elegant clocks and watches designed for Junghans, a long-term client. Among Bill's most notable product designs is the "Ulmer Hocker...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled Mid Century Modern Geometric Abstraction Signed silkscreen 7/100
By Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
Max Bill Untitled Mid Century Modern Geometric Abstraction, 1970 Silkscreen on wove paper 27 1/2 × 19 1/2 inches Signed, dated and numbere...
Category

Mid-20th Century De Stijl Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen, Pencil

Max Bill Sculpture "Endless Loop from a Circular Ring II" 1958 - See Provenance
By Max Bill
Located in Dallas, TX
Max Bill "Endless Loop from a Circular Ring II" This work was conceived in 1947-1949 and executed in 1958 in gilded brass with a white marble base. This sculpture is very important...
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1950s Modern Max Bill Art

Materials

Marble, Brass

Untitled
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1970 Handsigned by the artist in pencil 80.50 cm. x 60.50 cm. 31.69 in. x 23.82 in. (paper) 52.00 cm. x 52.00 cm. 20.47 in. x 20.47 in. (image) Swiss-born multidiscipli...
Category

1970s Abstract Max Bill Art

Materials

Silk

'Composition' From San Lazzaro Et Ses Amis
By Max Bill
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Max Bill Composition Original Lithograph in Colors on Paper Editions XXe Siecle, Paris, France Mint Condition 1975
Category

1970s Max Bill Art

Materials

Lithograph

Combillation, suite of Four Silkscreens on Acrylic Panel by Max Bill, 1970
By Max Bill
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Max Bill, Swiss (1908 - 1994) Portfolio: Combillation Year: 1970 Medium: Set of Four Silkscreens on Plastic Panel, each signed and numbered verso Edition: 210 Size of each ...
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1970s Modern Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Um 1930 in Zurich
By Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
Bill, Max. Um 1930 in Zurich, 1977 Offset, 50 1/4 x 35 1/4". Max Bill was an important Swiss artist, designer and architect whose work drew inspiration from Bauhaus, De Stijl, an...
Category

1970s Post-Modern Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Dada in Zurich
By Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
Bill, Max. Dada in Zurich, 1980, Offset Max Bill, (born December 22, 1908, Winterthur, Switzerland—died December 9, 1994, Berlin, Germany), Swiss graphic artist, industrial designer...
Category

1980s Dada Max Bill Art

Materials

Offset

Untitled from "Kinderstern" - Max Bill, Hard Edge, Color Field, Bright Colors
By Max Bill
Located in Köln, DE
Screenprint by Max Bill. From the portfolio "Kinderstern". No Title, 1989 76 x 58 cm Copy 61/100 Edition of 100 (approx.)
Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Max Bill Art

Materials

Screen

Ariadne
By Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
City Theatre matinee- 24 April 10:45 - dance studio wuff, basel (includes notice of postponement of a ballet by Satie and Picabia and a statement of aesthetics in small type) Zurich. Letter press...
Category

1930s Bauhaus Max Bill Art

Materials

Lithograph

Ariadne
Price Upon Request
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Previously Available Items
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Silksreen, 1976 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 108/150 80.00 cm. x 60.00 cm. 31.5 in. x 23.62 in. (paper) 43.00 cm. x 43.00 cm. 16.93 in. x 16.93 in. (image) On ...
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3-8 Eck
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Variation 13 from XXe Siecle No. 4
By Max Bill
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Max Bill Title: Variation 13 Portfolio: XXe Siecle No. 4 Medium: Lithograph Date: 1938 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 19 3/4" x 16 3/4" Sheet Size: 12 5/8" x 9 5/8" Signatur...
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Untitled
H 25.6 in W 19.69 in
Square in opposite directions
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By Max Bill
Located in Roma, IT
Geometric Composition is a Screen Print realized by Max Bill in 1970. Hand signed and dated on the right margin. Numbered LXII/LXVI on the left corner The artwork is depicted harmo...
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Concentric Squares - Screen Print by Max Bill - 1969
By Max Bill
Located in Roma, IT
Concentric squares is a rare vintage Screen Print realized by Max Bill in 1969. Hand signed and dated on the right margin. Numbered 52/150 on the left corner The artwork is depicte...
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Hommage à San Lazzaro
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Lithograph, 1975 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annotated EA Artist proof Publisher : XXe siècle (Paris) Printer : Mourlot (Paris) 35.50 cm. x 26.50 cm. 13.98 in. x 10.43 in...
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1970s Abstract Max Bill Art

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Untitled (Geometric Abstraction Minimalism)
By Max Bill
Located in Kansas City, MO
Max Bill Composition with white center Color silkscreen Year: 1972 Edition: Edition for "Look at" Size: 23.3 × 23.3 inches Unsigned, unknown edition size (pres. ~2,000) - sometimes a...
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1970s Abstract Geometric Max Bill Art

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No title
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1969 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 175/500 58.00 cm. x 43.00 cm. 22.83 in. x 16.93 in. (paper) LCD4871
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No title
H 22.84 in W 16.93 in
Beau chevalier croisé
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Lithograph, 1978 Handsigned by the artist in pencil Edition : 150 Publisher : Erker (Saint Gall) from "Vingt-deux poèmes" of Jean Cassou LCD5364
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Located in Kansas City, MO
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Max Bill art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Max Bill art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Max Bill in lithograph, offset print, screen print and more. Not every interior allows for large Max Bill art, so small editions measuring 36 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Alberto Magnelli, Jean Deyrolle, and Barbara Lynch Zinkel. Max Bill art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,450 and tops out at $2,100, while the average work can sell for $1,775.
Questions About Max Bill Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Max Bill created many types of items during his career. The Swiss artist worked as a graphic designer creating many compositions indicative of the modern style of the time. In addition, he was an industrial designer who made a variety of decorative objects and furnishings. He is best known for the clocks produced for Junghans, the Ulmer Hocker stool, the Atomic chandelier and the Tulip floor lamp. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Max Bill art, furniture and decorative objects.

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