Hans Jorgensen Wegner
Hans Jørgensen Wegner was a Danish furniture designer who was born on April 2, 1914 and passed away on January 26, 2007. He is known for his contribution to the international popularity of mid-century Danish design. Wegner designed over 500 different chairs, over 100 of which were put into mass production and many of which have become recognizable design icons. His style is often described as Organic Functionality, a modernist school with emphasis on functionality. Wegner received several major design prizes in his lifetime, from the Lunning Prize in 1951 and the Grand Prix of the Milan Triennale in the same year, to the Prince Eugen Medal in Sweden and the Danish Eckersberg Medal.
Wegner was born in Tønder, Denmark, to cobbler Peter Mathiesen Wegner and Nicoline Lausen on Smedegade. At an early age, Wegner showed interest in craft and could draw and create paper cuttings before he learned to walk. At home, Wegner was drawn to woodcarving and created wood sculptures based on Royal Copenhagen figurines he saw at the Tønder Museum. At the age of 14, he worked as a child apprentice to master cabinetmaker H. F. Stahlberg. He soon discovered he had a feeling for wood and developed an affinity towards the material. At the age of 15, he made his first chair. Finishing his apprenticeship at 17, he crafted a lady’s desk as part of his journeyman’s test and remained employed in the workshop before joining the army.
Wegner’s designs are still popular today and continue to inspire furniture designers around the world. Here are some examples of Wegner’s most iconic chair designs:
- The Wishbone Chair: Designed in 1949, this chair is also known as the Y Chair due to its Y-shaped backrest. It is made of solid wood and is available in a variety of finishes.
- The Shell Chair: Designed in 1963, this chair is made of molded plywood and is known for its unique shape that resembles a seashell.
- The Wing Chair: Designed in 1960, this chair is known for its high backrest and wing-like side panels that provide a sense of privacy and comfort.
Wegner’s work has been exhibited in several museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. His designs have also been featured in several films and television shows, including the James Bond film “From Russia with Love” and the television series "Mad Men".
Wegner’s legacy continues to inspire furniture designers around the world, and his designs remain popular today. His emphasis on functionality and organic forms has influenced generations of designers and continues to shape the world of furniture design.