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.
Zanotta Sgabillo Stool in Natural Varnished Frame by Max Bill
By Max Bill, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Sgabillo Stool in Natural Varnished Frame by Max Bill Structure in natural varnished, layered birch or in black lacquered medium density fiberboard finished in scratch-re...
Birch
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Kitchen Wall Clock Attrd Max Bill & Ernst Moeckl German Minimalist White Ceramic
By Dieter Rams, Max Bill
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The clock movement with a fresh battery has been running, however it may need to be serviced, it is quite loud. The manual timer is in working order. For reference an example was auc...
Porcelain
Mid Century Style ULMER HOCKER Stool by Max Bill designed in 1954 at the HfG Ulm
By Max Bill
Located in Ulm, DE
The Ulm Stool (German: Ulmer Hocker), a timeless masterpiece of Mid-Century Modern design, was created in 1954 by Max Bill, the first rector of the renown...
Beech, Spruce
Junghans Ato-Mat Wall Clock with Timer, 1960s, Design Max Bill
By Junghans Uhren GmbH, Max Bill
Located in Turku, Finland
Elegant Junghans Ato-Mat wall clock with integrated timer, produced in Switzerland / Germany, circa 1960s. A classic mid-century modern design associated with the Bauhaus-influenced ...
Metal
Ulm Stool by Max Bill, Mid-Century Modern, Germany, 1950s
By Max Bill
Located in Berlin, DE
The Ulm Stool may seem unassuming at first glance, yet its story is as fascinating as its minimalist design. Created by Max Bill, the first rector of the Ulm...
Spruce
Max Bill Sun Desk Lamp Gold Anodized Aluminum, Switzerland 1955
By Max Bill
Located in Vienna, AT
Iconic and very large Max Bill Desk Lamp, Switzerland 1951 Large Max Bill table lamp with a rare finish and in very good condition. This double bell shaped desk light does not appea...
Aluminum
Pair of Max Bill Torchiere Floor Lamps for B.A.G. Turgi, Switzerland, 1950s
By Max Bill
Located in Oceanside, US
A rare and exceptional pair of torchiere floor lamps designed by Max Bill and produced by B.A.G. Turgi, Switzerland, circa 1950s. Exemplifying Bill’s refined Bauhaus-influenced minim...
Enamel, Steel
Max Bill Tulip Floor Lamp Globe Glass & Aluminium by Temde, Switzerland, 1960s
By Max Bill, Temde Leuchten
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant space age bubble glass globe floor and table light. Illuminates beautifully and offers a lot of light. Heavy duty. Gem from the time. With this light you make a clear stateme...
Aluminum
Original Max Bill for Junghans Ceramic Kitchen Clock – 1950s Design Icon
By Max Bill
Located in Vienna, AT
Presenting a rare and iconic piece of Mid-Century Modern design: the Max Bill kitchen clock, designed in 1956 for Junghans. This particular model is a true collector's gem, featuring...
Ceramic
Set of Two Original 1970s Wall Lights by Max Bill for Temde, Switzerland
By Max Bill, Temde Leuchten
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Set of two wall lights Design: Max Bill Producer: Temde, made in Switzerland Age: 1970s Set of two original 1970s modernist wall lights desig...
Metal
1972 Munich Olympic Games - Max Bill Original Vintage Poster
By Max Bill
Located in Winchester, GB
Swiss artist & graphic designer Max Bill was one of 29 artists commissioned to produce posters for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. In the run-up to...
Paper
German Space Age opaline glass chandelier by Max Bill for Temde, 1960s
By Temde Leuchten, Max Bill
Located in MIlano, IT
German Space Age opaline glass chandelier by Max Bill for Temde, 1960s Pyramid-shaped chandelier with ten spherical diffusers in opaline glass. The central structure in white painted...
Metal
2010s Max Bill for Metrocs of Japan Wool Rug 6.5x6.5'
By Max Bill
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a wool rug designed by Max Bill in 1946. This example was produced by Metrocs of Japan in the 2010s. The rug is comprised of New Zealand Wool and features a striking composit...
Wool
Swiss Furniture and Interiors in the 20th Century
By Hans Bellmann, Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
Encyclopedic survey of modernist Swiss design beginning in 1870 but focused on the Bauhaus/Ulm School driven twentieth century, which is divided into chronological chapters of 15 to ...
Paper
Midcentury White 4-Arm Space Age Floor Lamp by Max Bill for Temde 1960s
By Max Bill, Temde Leuchten
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This exceptional midcentury floor lamp, designed by Max Bill for Temde in the 1960s, is a stunning example of Space Age design. Crafted in Switzerland, it embodies a perfect fusion o...
Metal
Max Bill Geneve Musee Serigraph, 1972
By Max Bill
Located in Hanover, MA
Max Bill (1908-1994) Geneva Museum exhibition serigraph, created to accompany the exhibition of works by Max Bill held from 6 April through 30 April 1972 at the Musee Rath in Geneva,...
Aluminum
Rare Wall Light in Gold by Max Bill for Temde, Switzerland, 1960s
By Temde Leuchten, Max Bill
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
The lamps are executed with E14 Edison screw fit bulbs. It is wired, and in working condition. It runs both on 110 / 230 volt. Our lamps are checked, cleaned and are suitable for ...
Metal
Lampadario Max Bill per Temde anni 60
By Temde Leuchten, Max Bill
Located in Palermo, IT
Bellissima lampada da soffitto dal design Space Age, con struttura in metallo cromato e 10 diffusori a globo in vetro di Murano lattimo, disposti a "grappolo". Adatto a lampadine con...
Metal, Chrome
Rare Wall Light in White by Max Bill for Temde, Switzerland, 1960s
By Temde Leuchten, Max Bill
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
The lamps are executed with E14 Edison screw fit bulbs. It is wired, and in working condition. It runs both on 110 / 230 volt. Our lamps are checked, cleaned and are suitable for ...
Metal
$1,190 / set
Table Lamps by Max Bill for Temde Switzerland
By Max Bill, Temde Leuchten
Located in Vienna, AT
Ball lamp by Temde, Max Bill from the 1960s. Glass ball with plastic base. Measures: Diameter: 14cm / Height: 29cm.
Opaline Glass, Plastic
Signed Mid Century Marble Sculpture "Kubus" on Ebonized Walnut Base by Max Bill
By Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful Mid Century Modern marble sculpture, entitled "Kubus", was realized by the renowned Swiss sculptor Max Bill in 1966. It features...
Marble
Pair of 1960s Max Bill Red and White Table Lamps for Temde Leuchten, Switzerland
By Verner Panton, Eero Saarinen, Max Bill, Temde Leuchten
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of 1960s Max Bill Red and White Table Lamps for Temde Leuchten, Switzerland. This extremely rare and iconic mid-century design is executed in red and opaline lucite shades with...
Metal
Original Vintage Sport Poster Munich Olympics 1972 Max Bill Shapes Design
By Max Bill
Located in London, GB
Original vintage sports poster promoting the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich Germany featuring a great minimalist design by the Swiss architect, artist, painter and graphic desig...
Paper
Ulm Stool by Max Bill for HfG Ulm, Germany, 1950s
By Max Bill
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Originally conceived as a multifunctional object for the Ulm School of Design, the stool reflects the principles of functional modernism. Its simple geometric construction allows it ...
Wood
Mid Century Style ULMER HOCKER Stool by Max Bill in Black Stained Spruce
By Max Bill
Located in Ulm, DE
The Ulm Stool (German: Ulmer Hocker), a timeless masterpiece of Mid-Century Modern design, was created in 1954 by Max Bill, the first rector of the renown...
Beech, Birch
Kneuzzargenstull Chair with yellow seat by Max Bill dining chair side chair
By Max Bill
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Born Winterthur, Switzerland; died 1994. Max Bill's name is often associated with concrete art and environmental design, but he was, so to speak, a Swiss 'un...
Wood, Plywood
Mid Century Style ULMER HOCKER Stool by Max Bill in Notwood and Lacquer Finish
By Max Bill
Located in Ulm, DE
The Ulm Stool (German: Ulmer Hocker), a timeless masterpiece of Mid-Century Modern design, was created in 1954 by Max Bill, the first rector of the renown...
Nutwood
Max Bill, Chair "Kneuzzargenstull", 1951
By Max Bill
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Max Bill - Chair "Kneuzzargenstull" Edition Möbelwerke Horgan Glarus Circa 1951 Wood and steel 78x48x52cm.
Steel
Table Model "Dreirundtisch" by Max Bill, Swiss 1949
By Max Bill
Located in Brussels, BE
Table model "Dreirundtisch" by Max Bill - Swiss 1949.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table Model "Dreirundtisch" by Max Bill, Swiss 1949
By Max Bill
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table Model "Dreirundtisch" by Max Bill, Swiss 1949
Wood