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.
$956Sale Price|20% Off
Max Bill, Prism, from San Lazzaro et ses Amis, 1975
By Max Bill
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Max Bill (1908–1994), titled Prisma (Prism), from the album San Lazzaro et ses Amis, Hommage au fondateur de la revue XXe siecle (San Lazzaro and His Fri...
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 ...
Lithograph
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Max Bill Lithograph Poster, Abstract Design, 1974 Exhibition, Unframed
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...
Lithograph
Untitled - Lithograph by Max Bill - 1988
By Max Bill
Located in Roma, IT
Lithograph on Japan Paper realized in 1988. Edition of 195/250. Hand signed, dated and numbered in pencil.
Lithograph
$188Sale Price|65% Off
Untitled (Geometric Abstraction Minimalism, ~60% OFF LIST PRICE)
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...
Screen
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
Max Bill, Variation 13, from XXe siecle, 1938
By Max Bill
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Max Bill (1908–1994), titled Variation 13, from the album XXe siecle, Chroniques du jour, 13 rue Valette (5e), Directeur G. di San Lazzaro, Sommaire du n...
Lithograph
'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
Lithograph
$1,149
Square
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Silkscreen, 1970 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 125/200 70.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. 27.56 in. x 19.69 in. (paper) 39.80 cm. x 39.80 cm. 15.67 in. x 15.67 in. (image) A m...
Silk
Geometric Composition - Original Lithograph
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, IDF
Max BILL (1908-1994) Geometric composition, 1975 Original lithograph (Mourlot workshop) Unsigned Limited edition of 575 unnumbered copies On Arches vellum paper 35 x 27 cm (c. 14 x ...
Lithograph
$550Sale Price|35% Off
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...
Lithograph
"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...
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 ...
Screen
$2,500
Max Bill Mid Century Modern Geometric Abstraction Signed silkscreen 7/100 Europe
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...
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.
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...
Screen
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 ...
Screen
$1,149
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...
Silk
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...
Screen
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.)
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...
Offset
$14,000
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...
Lithograph
"Woman Walks into Bar" 53/450
By Sue Coe
Located in Houston, TX
Known for addressing difficult issues, this lithograph by Sue Coe tackles the difficult subject of rape culture. It is numbered in the lower left corner and signed and dated in the l...
Lithograph
Serigraphie
By Jean Baier
Located in Bournemouth, Dorset
Jean Baier (1932-1999) was a Swiss artist who initially as a trained mechanic after the Second World War. This interest enabled him to develop an artistic fascination for practica...
Screen
Teal Lace Collotype Lithograph
By Patricia A. Pearce
Located in Soquel, CA
Delicate layered collotype on heavy bond paper by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). This piece is unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of other Pearce work. No frame. I...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph
Vendredi
By Auguste Herbin
Located in Miami, FL
Vendredi - Plate 10 from the 12 plate Portfolio, 1959 Published by Denise Rene, Paris Lithograph in colors on heavy paper 20 x 26 inches Signed, dated and numbered in ink, edition 20...
Lithograph
Three Lovely Kozo Inoue Pastel Prints, 1980s
By Kozo Inoue
Located in New York, NY
Kozo Inoue (Japanese, 1937-2017) Untitled, 1980 Lithograph Sight: 22 x 31 in. (Each) Framed: 34 x 42 1/2 x 1 in. (Each) Signed and dated 1980 lower right Inscribed lower left Kozo Inoue was a contemporary Japanese printmaker. Born in Osaka, he graduated from the Department of Art History at Keio University in 1960. During life, he worked during the winter months in the Izu Peninsula and Dordogne or Paris in the summer. He is known for his surrealistic silkscreen prints. His prints can be found in the Museum of Modern Art, Paris, Royal Library of Belgium, Modern Museum of Art Osaka and the Spencer Museum of Art, to name just a few. (Bio sourced from Ronin Gallery)
Lithograph
$765
H 24 in W 37.5 in D 0.03 in
Mixed Media Abstract Geometric: 2-Sided Collotype
By Patricia A. Pearce
Located in Soquel, CA
Delicate and layered collotype on both sides of heavy bond paper by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). The background of this piece is a collotype. Gold leaf, treated in a varie...
Gold Leaf
$900Sale Price|25% Off
H 23.5 in W 19.5 in D 1.25 in
Provence #7 (Provence France Landscape)
By Roger Mühl
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Roger Muhl (1929-2008) Provence #7, 1986. Signed and numbered in pencil by the artist, lower margins. Artwork is in excellent condition with no damage or conservation. Frame shows ...
Lithograph
$164Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.91 in W 4.93 in D 0.04 in
Up towards the sun. 1972, paper, lithography, 15x12.5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Up towards the sun. 1972, paper, lithography, 15x12.5 cm Dzidra Ezergaile (1926-2013) Born in Riga. School years alternate with summer work in the countryside. In 1947, she began he...
Paper, Lithograph
$2,800
H 20 in W 27 in
Rare Dorothy Dehner Mid century modern sculptural Minimalist lithograph signed/N
By Dorothy Dehner
Located in New York, NY
Dorothy Dehner Untitled from Lunar Series, 1971 Rare Lithograph on white Arches paper 22 × 27 inches Pencil signed, dated and numbered; with inscription including unique series numbe...
Lithograph
$5,500
H 7.5 in W 8.75 in
Fête du Jubilé de la Reine à Bedford Park, Londres
By Camille Pissarro
Located in New York, NY
A superb, dark and evenly-printed impression of this very scarce lithograph by Camille Pissarro and George W. Thornley. Printed in light brown on Chine appliqué. The deluxe edition o...
Lithograph
$400Sale Price|20% Off
H 25 in W 25 in D 1 in
NOT YET Limited Edition Signed Screen Print
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Michael Challenger Not Yet - 1979 Print - Silkscreen 25'' x 25'' Edition: Signed in pencil, titled, dated and marked AP VIII Challenger's work is a powerful interplay of op-art an...
Screen
Grey Folded Clouds - I Blue and Pink
By Joe Goode
Located in London, GB
Joe Goode Grey Folded Clouds - I Blue and Pink (blue sky tiles) 1971 Lithograph, Edition of 50 33 x 46 cms (13 x 18 ins) JGE007
Lithograph
Untitled - Screen Print by Max Bill - 1974
By Max Bill
Located in Roma, IT
Color screen print on wove paper, realized by Max Bill in 1974. Dry Stamp "Erker Press St. Gallen". Image dimension cm. 69.5x58.3. Hand signed, numbered and dated. Edition of 123...
Screen
Three-color variation
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Lithograph, 1974 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 34/75 77.00 cm. x 63.00 cm. 30.31 in. x 24.8 in. (paper) 54.00 cm. x 54.00 cm. 21.26 in. x 21.26 in. (image) Certif...
Lithograph
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...
Screen
'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
Lithograph
3-8 Eck
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
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 ...
Silk
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...
Lithograph
Untitled
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1970 Handsigned by the artist in pencil Edition : 20/75 65.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. 25.59 in. x 19.69 in. (paper) 40.00 cm. x 40.00 cm. 15.75 in. x 15.75 in. (image) Swiss-bo...
Silk
Square in opposite directions
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, FR
Silksreen, 1968 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 27/150 61.50 cm. x 44.00 cm. 24.21 in. x 17.32 in. (paper) 36.00 cm. x 36.00 cm. 14.17 in. x 14.17 in. (image) On wo...
Silk
Geometry - Lithograph by Max Bill - 1975
By Max Bill
Located in Roma, IT
Not Signed. Belongs to the series "Hommage à San Lazzaro" realized by artists such as Lucio Fontana, Marc Chagall, Alexander Calder and Max Ernst among others. Edited by the Magazine...
Lithograph
Sold
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 0.08 in
Geometric Composition - Screen Print by Max Bill - 1970
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...
Screen
Sold
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 0.08 in
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...
Screen
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...
Lithograph