Hans J. Wegner (1914 - 2007)

Danish designer

Celebrated as the “King of Chairs” and the driving force behind Danish modern design, Hans J. Wegner had won a number of design awards throughout his career of six decades and was instrumental in propelling Danish designs to the international stage. One of the most notable aspects that set Wegner apart from his mid-century modern contemporaries was his penchant for wood and traditional craftsmanship and styles. Rather than entirely embracing new materials and technology prevalent in the sector at that time, Wegner was able to impart traditional values in modern designs, and he had the exceptional talent of utilising the inherent characteristics of natural materials to create products that are both artistic and functional – what has come to be known as organic functionality. Having designed more than five hundred chairs, Wegner’s oeuvre is enormous; many of them are in the collections of major museums. In 2020, an organisation has been formed to explore building a museum dedicated to the designer, to honor his great contribution to the field of design.

Collections:

Museum of Modern Art, New York, Museum Sønderjylland, Designmuseum Danmark, Copenhagen, Die Neue Sammlung, Munich

COLLECT’S PICK: 

Opala floor lamp for Louis Poulsen