Peter Behrens

Peter Behrens was a German architect and designer who lived between 1868 and 1940.  He was very important for the Modernist movement especially in the early years of his career.  Although his background was in Fine Arts, he moved to architecture in 1899.  This move was a major turning point in his life.  Behrens style of design is very serious.  His seriousness lead him to become the director of the kunstgewerberschule in Dusseldorf in 1903.  Behrens was also the founder of the Vereinigten Werkstatten in 1897.



Peter Behrens was one of the many architects that came together to create and work in the German Werkbund in 1907.  This was an organisation generated by ideas of the Arts and Crafts movement.  Their aim was to modify and improve everyday products without the use of excessive technology and mass production.  They promoted craftsmanship.

Behrens was very influenced by Japanese art.  As Schmutzler states, "Behrens earliest works in Jugendstil are ornament drawings like the delicate sketch of butterflies alighting on lily pads framed by rushes, and in this design his affinity with Japanese art is obvious."

Ornament Drawing 

Behrens house door

In 1899, Behrens together with the Darmstadt colony, designed his own house.  He created everything himself.  He designed porcelain table ware which followed the same design as the ceiling.  He also designed his front door which matched the whole design of his house.  Apart from this, he also got into graphic design where he created logos and advertisements for different companies.

'The Kiss'

Some of his Graphic Designs