Hans J. Wegner
Denmark
Architect Hans J. Wegner (1914-2007) popularized mid-century Danish design globally through his love of natural materials and commitment to functional beauty. He began his career as a cabinetmaker in 1931, later earning his architectural degree at the Copenhagen School of Arts & Crafts. Wegner worked with Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller before establishing his own office in 1943. He designed over 500 original chairs in various wood types and styles, becoming a master of Danish chair design. Wegner's clean, simple lines reflected his belief that a chair was both an artwork and a functional object, saying, "A chair is to have no backside. It should be beautiful from all sides and angles."
