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Walter Dexel


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Walter Dexel

Walter Dexel was a pioneering avant-garde German artist and theorist whose works revolutionized the fields of sculpture and painting in the 20th century. He was a key figure in the New Objectivity movement, pushing the boundaries of artistic conventions and thought with his innovative works. Dexel's legacy continues to influence and inspire designers, artists, and theorists today. One aspect of Dexel's work that sets him apart from his contemporaries is his use of color. He was a master of color theory and often employed bold, contrasting colors in his works. This use of color was not just for aesthetic purposes, but also served to highlight the formal qualities of his works. Dexel believed that color could be used to create a sense of depth and movement in a composition, and his works demonstrate this belief in action. Another important aspect of Dexel's work is his interest in the relationship between art and technology. He was fascinated by the possibilities of new technologies and materials, and sought to incorporate them into his works whenever possible. This interest in technology was not just limited to his artistic practice, but also extended to his theoretical writings. Dexel believed that technology had the potential to transform society and culture, and he saw art as a key player in this transformation. Overall, Walter Dexel was a visionary artist and thinker who pushed the boundaries of artistic conventions and thought. His legacy continues to inspire and influence designers, artists, and theorists today, and his innovative use of color and interest in technology remain relevant and thought-provoking.

avant-garde, New Objectivity, color theory, technology, innovation

— John Allen

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Walter Dexel

Walter Dexel was a German artist born on November 17, 1891 in Munich. He studied art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and became a master of sculpture and a professor in 1921. His works are known for their harmonious lines, often referencing classical forms and figures. He was particularly interested in the figure of the Gesamtkunstwerk, or total work of art, creating works which combined multiple mediums into a single, unified piece. Dexel's most famous work is probably Leda (1921) a larger than life bronze sculpture of the Greek goddess Leda and her swan. Other major works include Sleeping Nymph (1920) a marble sculpture, The Three Graces (1922) a terracotta relief and The Meridian Prayer (1923) a fresco on the walls of the Maximilianeum in Munich.

Walter Dexel, German artist, Munich, bronze sculpture, marble sculpture, terracotta relief.

— Mei Wang

CITATION : "Mei Wang. 'Walter Dexel.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/walter-dexel?E=204445 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"

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Walter Dexel

Walter Dexel was a revolutionary figure in the world of modern art and design, and his works continue to be appreciated and celebrated today. He was an advocate for creating space for experimentation and innovation in the art world, pushing the boundaries of artistic conventions and thought. Dexel's unique approach to painting and sculpting was highly innovative for its time, exemplifying his admiration for the artists of the New Objectivity movement. His works often dealt with abstract configurations of form and space, and his relief constructions Der Rote Tisch (The Red Table) and Der Metabolische Schlitten (The Metabolic Sleigh) are some of his most acclaimed works. Dexel's legacy continues to influence and inspire designers, artists, and theorists today.

Walter Dexel, avant-garde, artist, theorist, Objectification, anti-formalism, New Objectivity, sculpture, painting, relief constructions, polychrome painting, creative process, material world, abstract configurations, artistic conventions, experimental, i

— Federica Costa

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Walter Dexel

Walter Dexel was an influential figure in the world of modern art and design, and his works continue to be appreciated today. By employing Objectification, a precursor to anti-formalism, Dexel pushed his contemporaries to question the creative process and explore the relationship between art, philosophy, and the material world. His works often dealt with abstract configurations of form and space, making him an important figure in the New Objectivity movement. Dexel's innovative approach to painting and sculpting was revolutionary for its time, and his works continue to inspire modern designers, artists, and theorists. He was an advocate for creating space for experimentation and innovation in the art world, pushing the boundaries of artistic conventions and thought. His works remain relevant today, as his legacy continues to shape the fields of design, arts and creativity.

Walter Dexel, Art History, Objectification, New Objectivity, Avant-Garde, Polychrome Painting, Relief Constructions, Metabolic Sleigh, Red Table.

— Claudia Rossetti

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Walter Dexel

Walter Dexel was a pioneering avant-garde artist and theorist whose works revolutionized the fields of sculpture and painting in the 20th century. His distinct brand of Objectification, a precursor to anti-formalism, challenged his contemporaries to explore the creative process and the relationship between art, philosophy, and the material world. Dexel's most acclaimed works include the relief constructions Der Rote Tisch (The Red Table) and Der Metabolische Schlitten (The Metabolic Sleigh), as well as the polychrome painting Die Blech-Masse (The Sheet-Mass). He was a key figure in the New Objectivity movement, pushing the boundaries of artistic conventions and thought with his innovative works. Walter Dexel's legacy continues to influence and inspire designers, artists, and theorists today.

Avant-garde, Objectification, New Objectivity, Polychrome Painting.

— Eleonora Barbieri

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Walter Dexel

Walter Dexel was an influential avant-garde German artist and theorist whose works helped to shape the field of art history in the 20th century. With his distinct brand of Objectification, an important precursor to anti-formalism, Dexel pushed his contemporaries to question the creative process and explore the relationship between art, philosophy, and the material world. His works often dealt with abstract configurations of form and space and were highly innovative for his time, exemplifying his admiration for the artists of the New Objectivity movement. His contributions to the fields of sculpture and painting were revolutionary, as he sought to challenge artistic conventions and conventions of thought. Among his most acclaimed works are the relief constructions Der Rote Tisch (The Red Table) and Der Metabolische Schlitten (The Metabolic Sleigh), along with the experimental polychrome painting Die Blech-Masse (The Sheet-Mass).

Avant-garde, sculpture, painting, abstract, Objectification, German Artist, Walter Dexel, New Objectivity, polychrome, relief constructions.

— Giovanna Mancini


Walter Dexel Definition

Walter Dexel on Design+Encyclopedia

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