Walter Dexel Collection

This remarkable collection of graphic design comes from the German Constructivist artist and typographer Walter Dexel (1890-1973) and is currently available from the rare book firm, Ars Libri. 


Walter Dexel, a German painter, typographer, designer and writer was born in 1890 and studied painting in Munich under the direction of Heinrich Wölfflin and Fritz Burger. He later received his doctorate under the tutelage of Botho Gräf. He was an active participant in the 1920s Constructive movement and organized shows for Jena's Art Union, which included exhibitions with Campendonk and Bauhaus artist Moholy-Nagy. He also formed a close friendship with Theo van Doesburg and they collaborated on various projects. In 1928 he co-authored Das Wohnhaus von Heute (Today's Modern Dwelling) with his wife, Grete. From 1928 to 1935, Dexel taught graphic design at Magdeburg, and from 1936 to 1942 at the Berlin-Schöneberg National School of Art. Dexel died in Braunschweig in 1973 at the age of 83.