Ever wonder where the threads of Bauhaus design meet the realities of life under Nazi and Communist rule? That place is right here at the Margaretha-Reichardt-Haus. This house is not just a building. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of a remarkable woman.
Margaretha Reichardt was a textile artist. She was a weaver and a graphic designer. Born in Erfurt in 1907, she became one of the most important designers to emerge from the Bauhaus school.
The Margaretha-Reichardt-Haus stands as a museum. It is a memorial to her life and work. But how did this house come to be? What makes it so special?
In 1933, Margaretha returned to Erfurt. She set up her own weaving workshop in Severihof. This was the very place where her family lived. In 1939, she and her husband Hans built this house and workshop in Bischleben. Here, just a short distance from Erfurt’s city center, she lived and worked for the rest of her life.
Inside the Margaretha-Reichardt-Haus, you will find the original workshop. It is located on the lower ground floor. Six wooden hand looms stand ready. Two of these looms came directly from the Bauhaus weaving workshop in Dessau.
The house also displays Margaretha’s living quarters. They are preserved just as they were when she was alive. Carpets, wall hangings, and original Bauhaus furniture fill the rooms. Among these treasures is a Marcel Breuer tubular steel chair. It features Reichardt’s own eisengarn fabric. What is eisengarn? It means iron yarn in English. It’s a strong, durable, waxed cotton material.
Margaretha Reichardt didn’t just create beautiful textiles. She also innovated. She improved the quality of eisengarn. Marcel Breuer then used it on his famous tubular steel chairs. Her fabric was even used in aeroplane seats in the 1930s. She helped develop cloth with soundproofing and light-reflecting qualities.
But Margaretha’s life wasn’t always easy. During the Nazi period, she had to be a member of the Reichskulturkammer. This was a government agency for all German artists. In communist East Germany, she faced shortages of raw materials. She had to be a skilled negotiator to get what she needed.
Despite these challenges, she persevered. She trained over 50 apprentices in her workshop. Her textiles found their way into museums, theaters, and public buildings. She even wove one of three tapestries for the restored St. Hedwig’s Cathedral in Berlin.
Margaretha Reichardt died in 1984. But her legacy lives on in this house. In 1987, her home and workshop became a protected monument. In 1989, it became an official museum of the city of Erfurt.
Today, the Angermuseum Erfurt manages the Margaretha-Reichardt-Haus. When you visit, you’ll not only see her work. You’ll also witness a demonstration of how the looms work.
So, as you stand here, remember Margaretha Reichardt. She was a Bauhaus designer who never stopped creating. She navigated difficult times with resilience and talent. Her house stands as a monument to her enduring spirit. It’s a place where art, history, and human determination intertwine.