"On the little money I had collected I lived in Berlin very cheaply, ate very cheaply. And already in 1920 I saved the first salaries I received to go to Munich"

Josef Albers’ recollection of his early years provides a vivid snapshot of the determination and simplicity that characterized his formative period as an artist. Living in Berlin on meager funds, he emphasizes how necessity shaped his lifestyle. Every aspect of his daily existence, from housing to food, was governed by the imperative to economize. Yet, rather than framing this as an obstacle, Albers presents it as a matter-of-fact circumstance, suggesting both resilience and a kind of frugality that became integral to his approach not just to life, but to his work and philosophy.

By stating that he ate very cheaply and lived very cheaply, Albers implicitly alludes to the sacrifices and priorities inherent in the pursuit of a creative life. Instead of lamenting hardship, there is almost a sense of pride, or at least acceptance, in managing to sustain himself with the little he had. The idea of saving his first salaries to go to Munich hints at a broader ambition. It was not simply about survival; it was about investing in his future, using every small resource to make steady progress toward his goals.

The timeline, living frugally in 1920, saving immediately as soon as income arrived, speaks to a sense of urgency and purpose. Berlin and Munich were both important cultural centers, so moving from one to the other was not merely travel, but a strategic step in Albers’ artistic development. His financial discipline and vision reflect an understanding that self-improvement and opportunity often require patience and sacrifice. The passage evokes the larger context of post-World War I Germany, with its economic instability, making Albers’ willingness to endure hardship even more striking.

Ultimately, the words reveal a philosophy focused on growth through restraint, channeling limited means directly into future prospects, and sustaining hope and ambition regardless of circumstances. This attitude informed not only his life but also his enduring influence in the art world.