The Bauhaus movement has had a lasting impact on modern design, art, and architecture, with renowned figures like Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, and László Moholy-Nagy closely associated with its style. The term "Bauhaus" refers to a German art school that aimed to provide equal opportunities for men and women to develop their skills across various crafts. Its founding principles stated:
“Every eligible person whose talent and training are considered adequate will be accepted without regard to age and sex.”
However, in practice, this ideal was not fully realized. Women were frequently excluded from the more physically demanding crafts such as architecture, carpentry, and metalwork. Instead, they were encouraged to pursue textiles, where they created abstract design carpets and fabrics for industrial production. Over time, the Bauhaus weaving workshop emerged as one of the school’s most innovative and commercially successful departments, continuing to influence contemporary rug design to this day.
Blue Bauhaus Rug with Contemporary Designs by Carpet Cellar
What was the Bauhaus?
The Bauhaus was a German art school founded by architect Walter Gropius with the goal of creating gesamtkunstwerk, or “total artwork,” by merging various forms of art. Operating in Weimar from 1919 to 1925, Dessau from 1925 to 1932, and Berlin from 1932 until its closure in 1933, the school was ultimately shut down due to pressure from the Nazi regime, which considered it a hotbed for communist intellectuals.
Bauhaus philosophy emphasized that design should serve practical purposes, and abstract works could be appreciated without relying on traditional forms. Students were encouraged to design prototypes for mass industrial production rather than creating fine art pieces limited to the elite. Workshops in metal, glass, wood, and textiles fostered creativity and collaboration among students.
The Bauhaus Weaving Workshop: The Birthplace of Bauhaus Rugs
The Bauhaus weaving workshop, established early in the school’s history, focused on blending traditional craftsmanship with industrial techniques. In 1920, an all-female textile class was introduced, offering women a foothold in a male-dominated industry. In addition to spinning, the women were taught crochet, macramé, and embroidery, skills they integrated into modern textiles.
Helene Börner, the first female teacher at Bauhaus, became the technical director of the Weimar weaving workshop. She had been teaching at the Weimar School of Arts and Crafts since 1904, and when the school closed after World War I, she continued to run her own workshop before being invited to teach at the Bauhaus. Under her leadership, the weaving workshop produced modern rugs and curtains, including pieces for the model house Am Horn and the Gropius Room.
Börner fostered a culture of experimentation within the weaving workshop, encouraging innovation in color concepts and weaving techniques. The women saw textiles as both functional fabrics and pieces of art, pushing the boundaries of material and design. Although many women went on to teach and lead in the Bauhaus industry, few received the recognition given to their male counterparts.
Grey Bauhaus Rug with Contemporary Designs by Carpet Cellar
Influential Women of the Bauhaus Weaving Workshop
Gunta Stölzl
Gunta Stölzl was the only female master at the Bauhaus and played a key role in transitioning the weaving workshop towards industrial rug design. Her work is central to what we now recognize as Bauhaus textiles. In 1921, Stölzl reopened the school’s dye studios and became the head of the weaving workshop when the Bauhaus moved to Dessau in 1925. She introduced synthetic materials and brought modern art ideas into textile design. Stölzl also improved the technical curriculum, incorporating mathematics into the department’s instruction.
Anni Albers
Anni Albers, another notable Bauhaus weaver, was the subject of a recent retrospective at London’s Tate Modern for her contributions to contemporary textile design. She initially sought to join the glass workshop but was turned away due to her gender. Over time, Albers embraced textiles and became known for blending traditional craft with art, especially in geometric designs. In her writings, Albers reflected:
"In my case, it was threads that caught me, really against my will. To work with threads seemed sissy to me. I wanted something to be conquered. But circumstances held me to threads, and they won me over.”
Otti Berger
Otti Berger, another student-turned-teacher at the Bauhaus, experimented with new materials, including plastic textiles for mass production. Alongside Gunta Stölzl and Anni Albers, she helped elevate textiles from a perceived “feminine” craft to a respected artistic medium. Tragically, Berger’s career was cut short when she was sent to Auschwitz in 1944, where she was killed due to her Jewish heritage.
Marli Ehrman
Marli Ehrman, a Jewish weaver at Bauhaus, later made a name for herself in the United States after emigrating. Bauhaus professor László Moholy-Nagy invited her to lead the weaving workshop at his newly established School of Design, where she taught weaving and textile design. Ehrman’s upholstery fabrics won first prize at a 1941 competition sponsored by New York’s Museum of Modern Art. She later collaborated with Dow Chemical to develop flame-retardant synthetic fabrics for drapes. After the closure of the School of Design in 1947, Ehrman continued teaching in private, with her group, known as “The Marli Weavers,” carrying the Bauhaus spirit forward.
Beige Bauhaus Rug with Contemporary Designs by Rugnoor
Though the Bauhaus weaving workshop closed more than 80 years ago, its legacy endures in modern rug design. Thanks to the creativity and innovation of these women, Bauhaus textiles have left an indelible mark on the world. Their contributions deserve far more recognition than they have historically received.
Whether you're seeking authentic Bauhaus-inspired rugs or modern contemporary designs, Rugnoor offers a wide selection of both.