Alber's Color Theory

Josef Albers (1888-1976) was a German-born abstract artist who sought to redefine art education through his development of color theory. Albers' principle of color theory is explained in his 1971 treatise, "Interaction of Color."

History

Albers began his color experiments while at the German Bauhaus School (1919-33). Bauhaus was a design studio dedicated to merging fine and applied arts in an attempt to improve the quality of modern life in all its features.

Identification

Albers' color theory focused on the dynamic, shifting nature of color in relation to its contexts: colors blurring and vibrating when placed next to one another, modifying in tonal intensity, and deepening into three-dimensional space.

Features

In "Homage to the Square" (1965), Albers painted squares of solid colors, centered vertically but pressed downward horizontally. The resulting figures move in apparently opposing directions, just as flat surfaces deepen and color modulates.

Theories/Speculation

Albers called his color theory paintings "platters to serve color," as color became for Albers a source of knowledge and mystery, an ultimate vehicle for near-religious discovery.

Significance

Through his explorations of color values, contrasts, repetition and relationships, Albers developed multiple innovative ways for the viewer to comprehend his works.

Fun Fact

After Albers' death in 1976, one of his paintings was used on a U.S. postage stamp. 170 million Albers stamps were printed and titled with the Department of Education slogan, "Learning Never Ends."

References

• Pacewildenstein: Josef Albers
• Interaction of Color; Josef Albers; 1971

Resources

• Spaightwood Galleries: Josef Albers
• Rotobrain.com: Color Interaction Demonstration