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
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
$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
$1,140
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 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
$1,140
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
$546Sale 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
'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
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
"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 - 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
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
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
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
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
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
"Elizabeth Stein Gallery" Lithograph Exhibition Poster
By Ilya Bolotowsky
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Elizabeth Stein Gallery A/P" is a color lithograph poster. This piece features an abstract and geometric design in yellow. Unsigned. 40" x 26" Born in Russia in 1907, Ilya Bolotowsky left his native country in his early childhood. The family was forced to emigrate as a result of his parent’s anti-Communist sentiments. They traveled first to Constantinople, then settled in New York City in 1923. Bolotowsky enrolled at the National Academy of Design in 1924. He tried out many styles in this period, ranging from the representational and classical to the abstract and expressionistic. In the early 1930s he became a designer of textiles. In 1932 Bolotowsky spent ten months in Europe. Although he was already familiar with prevailing modernist movements, the opportunity to study a wide range of these works and to meet some of the artists who had made them affected Bolotowsky profoundly. As a result of this trip, Bolotowsky began to synthesize aspects of Cubism with the abstract Surrealism of artists like Miro and Arp. These softer, floating forms gave way to a rectilinear geometry as he became more influenced by the Constructivists and Mondrian. Upon his return to the United States, Bolotowsky married his fellow painter Esphyr Slobodkina...
Lithograph
An 8 Set - 7 - From the Pasadena Box
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
Lithograph 38.4 x 56.5 cms (15 1/8 x 22 1/4 ins) Edition of 100
Lithograph
Sun and Sea
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Sun and Sea Signed and numbered in pencil Color lithograph 22.75 x 30.75 inches Edition 88 of 150
Lithograph
$875
H 24.5 in W 31.5 in D 1.5 in
"Medieval Abby of Mont- St. Michel" Architectural Landscape Edition 4 of 5
By Paul Sprohge
Located in Houston, TX
Green and blue tonal architectural landscape of a cathedral. The work is signed, titled, and dated by the artist. It is framed in a gold frame with a white matte. Paul Sprohge is a H...
Lithograph
A young girl's dream
By Niki de Saint Phalle
Located in Paris, FR
Lithograph, 1972 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 187/300 Publisher : Galerie Putman Printer : Clot, Bramsen & Georges (Paris) Catalog : Chenivesse n°9 Arches Paper W...
Lithograph
A Book of Silkscreen Prints 1973-76 (2nd Edition)
By Robert Mangold
Located in New York, NY
Associated with the Minimalist art movement of the 1960s, Mangold developed a reductive vocabulary based on geometric forms, monochromatic color, and an emphasis on the flatness of t...
Screen
America (Limited Edition Print)
By Mauro Oliveira
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
**ANNUAL SUPER SALE UNTIL MAY 15TH ONLY** THIS PRICE WON'T BE REPEATED AGAIN THIS YEAR - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT** "America" is a unique eagle design by Mauro Oliveira. This exquisite...
Cotton Canvas
$920Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 31.25 in D 1.5 in
"Poles" Minimalist Abstract Lithograph on Paper
By Arnold Mesches
Located in Soquel, CA
"Poles" Minimalist Abstract Lithograph on Paper Bold abstracted lithograph by Arnold Mesches (American, 1923-2016). Negative space is filled in wi...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
67.3 x 88.9 cms (26.5 x 35 ins) Edition of 50 Signed lower right, numbered lower left. Published by Nantenshi Gallery, Tokyo. Printed by Harumi Sonoyama at Gendai hanga Kobo Co...
Color, Lithograph
$800
H 21.5 in W 16 in
John Chamberlain at Leo Castelli Gallery, vintage 1970s offset lithograph poster
By John Chamberlain
Located in New York, NY
JOHN CHAMBERLAIN Leo Castelli Invitation, 1976 Offset Lithograph invitation 21 1/2 × 16 inches Unframed This rare vintage offset lithograph invitat...
Offset, Lithograph
Space Invasion - Original lithograph
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, IDF
MAN RAY (1890-1976) Space Invasion, 1975 Original lithograph (Printed in Desjobert workshop) Printed signature in the plate On heavy paper 31 x 24 cm (c. 12 x 10 inch) Edited by San...
Lithograph
$3,000
H 22 in W 22 in
Homage to the Square - P1, F5, I1, Geometric Screenprint by Josef Albers
By Josef Albers
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Homage to the Square - Portfolio 2, Folder 5, Image 1" from the portfolio “Formulation: Articulation” created by Josef Albers in 1972. This monumental series consists of 127 origina...
Screen
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