The furniture design work of Danish architect Finn are potent symbols of modern design and it's only natural to wonder where the inspiration came from. So how can we be best understand his work? Who was he? Who did Finn Juhl want to be?
Finn became enthralled by achean Greek art in his youth and dreamed of becoming an art historian. His father, a business man in the Scandinavian textile industry disapproved. Perhaps in a stroke of genius the father and son found a middle ground in architecture.
This fascination in art history particularly from antiquity is perhaps the best indicator behind the aesthetics in his designs. From the softness, clarity and organic lines found in pieces like the 44 and 45 chairs one could draw a line of comparison to the ergonomics of achean vessels. In other pieces like the Egyptian or Chieftain chair, the grandeur and the thematic link to Africa speaks to the lore and fascination shared by Greek philosophers over Africa amassed through literary works such Timaeus and Critias.
What about the functionality behind his designs? This is most often attributed to his mentoring by Kay Fisker at the Danish royal academy for fine arts. Fisker was directly involved in the post WWII debate that dominated modern architecture. The topics of functionalism, regionality and monumentality that Fisker advocated for must have permeated and resonated deeply with Juhl.
Lastly, Finn Juhl was an autodidact when it came to furniture. Meaning that he was entirely self taught.
From Watercolours by Finn Juhl
From Watercolours by Finn Juhl
Words by Alonso S.
