Master of the Chair: Hans J. Wegner
28/09/24
Many foreigners have asked me, how we created the ‘Danish Modern’ style. I suppose it was more an advanced process of purifying and for me simplification, cutting the elements down to the bare essentials: four legs, a seat and a combined back and arm rest.—The Chair
Hans Jørgensen Wegner (1914-2007) is widely recognized as one of the most creative, skilled, and prolific furniture designers, not only within the Danish modernist movement—where he played a pivotal role—but also on the global design stage. At Inform, Wegner is a household name, as we originally started as a Danish furniture store under the name Danet Interiors. Although we have expanded our offerings over our 61 years in business, we proudly showcase a vast selection of Wegner pieces in our showrooms. His work is foundational to the story of modern furniture, a narrative that Inform is dedicated to sharing.
Often referred to as the “Master of the Chair", Wegner earned this title by designing an impressive 500 chairs during his lifetime, many of which are considered masterpieces. His iconic designs are frequently showcased in prestigious showrooms, political venues, popular media, and more, serving as enduring symbols of timeless style and exceptional craftsmanship.
Early Life
Born in the town of Tønder in southern Denmark, Hans Wegner was the son of a cobbler. His journey into the world of design began at the young age of 14 when he apprenticed with master cabinetmaker H.F. Stahlberg. Wegner later attended the Danish School of Arts and Crafts and the Architectural Academy in Copenhagen, honing his skills and deepening his understanding of design.
After graduation, Wegner's career took off when he joined the architectural studio of Erik Møller and Flemming Lassen. His first significant opportunity came when he began working with Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller in Århus, Denmark's second-largest city. Here, he collaborated with master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen to design all the furniture for Århus City Hall. Johannes Hansen was instrumental in introducing new furniture designs to the Danish public at the Copenhagen Cabinet-makers’ Guild Exhibitions. This project was a turning point for Wegner, establishing his reputation among designers, architects, and influential figures in government.
An Illustrious Career
In 1943, Wegner founded his own design office in Århus, where he embarked on creating many of his iconic pieces. Among these was the China Chair series, which he produced for Fritz Hansen, inspired by portraits of Danish merchants sitting in traditional chairs from the Ming dynasty. This series of work would inspire some of his most well-known designs in the years to come.
Three years later, Wegner returned to Copenhagen, where he accepted a teaching position at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts.
In the following years, Wegner began collaborating closely with Ejnar and Lars Peder Pedersen of PP Møbler, one of the most respected workshops in Danish craftsmanship. This partnership resulted in some of Wegner's most prolific work, including the Peacock Chair, the Flag Halyard Chair, and the Round Chair, which was featured in the US magazine Interiors in 1950 and quickly became an archetype for the modern chair. The collaboration with PP Møbler was fundamental to Wegner's success, as the Pedersen brothers were not only master craftsmen, but also visionaries who embraced his ambitious ideas.
A Historic Moment
The Round Chair, popularly referred to as “the chair”, was famously pictured with John F. Kennedy seated in it during his presidential debate with Richard Nixon.
Timeless Style
During this same period, Wegner was commissioned by Carl Hansen & Søn to design a chair that combined exceptional quality with the potential for mass production. This collaboration led to the creation of the iconic Wishbone Chair, which became Wegner's greatest commercial success. The Wishbone has remained in continuous production to this day and is cemented as an icon of Danish modernist design.
Wegner's Legacy
On January 26, 2007, Wegner passed away at the age of 92. In Wegner's own lifetime, he was able to witness a surge of renewed interest in his work.
At the core of Hans Wegner's legacy is his ability to express the inner soul of furniture. He achieved this by designing pieces that embody simplicity and functionality. Wegner emphasized minimalism, yet executed his designs with exceptional quality, drawing on his deep understanding of woodworking and joinery. His strong appreciation for natural materials further defined his creations, which are synonymous with a generation of craft that is today referred to as the Golden Age of modern Danish design.
Awards
Wegner received many design awards, including the Lunning Prize in 1951, the Grand Prix of the Milan Triennale in 1951, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts’ Eckersberg Medal in 1956, Sweden’s Prince Eugen Medal in 1961, the Danish Furniture Prize in 1980, the C. F. Hansen Medal in 1982, and the 8th International Design Award in 1997. He was made an Honorary Royal Designer for industry by the Royal Society of Arts in London in 1959, became an honorary member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1995, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate by the Royal College of Art in 1997.
Almost all of the world’s major design museums, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Designmuseum Danmark in Copenhagen to Die Neue Sammlung in Munich, exhibit his works.