Introduction: the Bauhaus centennial and design history

The Bauhaus is possibly the most famous school of art, design, and architecture of the first half of the twentieth century. It holds an enduring reputation as one of the most influential sources for the origins of modern design. In response to the centenary of its foundation in 1919, this special issue offers critical perspectives on the school’s reputation from a range of international scholars. The Introduction reviews selected events and publications planned to coincide with the Bauhaus 100 anniversary year in order to place them in relation to broader developments within design history. The three articles consider how the identities, reputation, and legacies of the Bauhaus were constructed, both at the time of its existence and in the years following its closure. As a further record of the impact of this centenary, we include a Selected Bibliography drawn from the international attention given to the Bauhaus in its anniversary year, as well as Book Reviews devoted to some of the most significant publications from 2019.