The World of Forms

The natural scientist and Nobel laureate Wilhelm Ostwald published his theory of form, The Harmony of Forms, in 1922. Between 1922 and 1928, he expanded on this work through four portfolios titled The World of Forms, where the doctrine was methodically developed. The 240 series of shapes, printed on transparent sheets, allow countless combinations and represent an early example of rule-based programming in the realm of art and design.

Ostwald’s theories of color and form influenced not only the Werkbund but also the Bauhaus and the Dutch art movement De Stijl. Designers such as Moholy-Nagy, Herbert Bayer, and later representatives of Concrete Art like Max Bill, Karl Gerstner, and especially Hans Hinterreiter enthusiastically adopted his ideas. Despite this, Ostwald’s theory of form—unlike his color theory—has largely fallen into obscurity today.

This research project aims to make Wilhelm Ostwald’s theory of form accessible to a wider audience. In the fall of 2025, a critical new edition will be published by Spector Books Leipzig, including previously unpublished manuscripts and fragments. This edition will contextualize Ostwald’s work within the intersections of science and art, lawfulness and intuition, ornament and figuration. Complementing the publication, this digital platform (currently in beta) invites users to explore Ostwald’s texts, shapes, and principles through interactive graphics.