Design Talks: Discover All About Hans J. Wegner

If you haven’t noticed by now, these Design Talks are all about inspirations in the 20th century in design and art. Today, we’re here to show you all about Hans J. Wegner, one of the pioneers in modern Danish design, this Danish furniture designer is often referred as the master of the chair – and we’re here to tell you all about it!

With more than 500 chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner, the Danish designer is considered one of the most creative, innovative and prolific of his age. With plenty of masterpieces under his wing, the designer wanted the soul of the piece to be seen like no other.

“Many foreigners have asked me how we made the Danish style, and I’ve answered that it was rather a continuous process of purification, and for me of simplification, to cut down to the simplest possible elements of four legs, a seat, and combined top rail and armrest.”

Nowadays considered classics, the pieces of furniture of Hans Wegner are meant to unite form, function, comfort and ergonomics. To the Danish designer, a chair isn’t just a piece of furniture – it’s a compliment, a piece of art that supports the human form.

“The core of Wegner’s legacy is his focus on bringing the inner workings – the soul – of the furniture to the exterior, where the simplicity and functionality can be appreciated.”

One of the most distinguished designers of his time, over the course of his career Wegner received almost all major recognition in the world of design. Among them, you can find the Lunning Prize, the Grand Prix of the Milan Triennale, Sweden’s Prince Eugen Medal, and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts’ Eckersberg Medal.

Almost all of the world’s major design museums, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to Die Neue Sammlung in Munich, include his furniture in their collections.

You can visit our Pinterest boards in order to get more inspirations. Get more ideas for your projects and find functional, stylish and sizable lighting and furniture choices. Make sure to download our ‘Interior Design Tips for a Well-Lit Home‘ eBook!