Pair of armchairs ‘The Red Chair’ designed by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen
Denmark, 1930
Marked.The design detailing of these magnificent chairs by Kaare Klint, the father of Scandinavian modernism, make them undeniably significant 20th-century collectables. The model is also referred to as the “Barcelona Chair” because it was first shown at the 1929 Barcelona Universal Exposition. With vertical arm supports for the curved horizontal armrests, exquisite patinated leather, profiling on the front legs, and a kick on the back legs, the design achieves a luxurious and nonetheless light form. It was typical of Klint to break up the components, leaving air between the backrest and the seat and creating the impression that the upper part of the chair floats above the lower.
The model was shown in various woods and upholstery finishes throughout the years and made in different sizes according to body shape; these two are medium-sized. Next to Niger leather, the dark red leather used here is rare and extremely beautiful. Klint worked with his preferred cabinet maker Rud. Rasmussen in Copenhagen, the leading wooden furniture manufacturer of the time to create two different versions of this chair: with and without nails to secure the leather.
Kaare Klint was the father of Scandinavian modernism and is responsible for bringing Danish design to the centre stage. History has rarely seen such an impact left on the world of design by just one person, as Kaare Klint created a design language that would be spoken by designers for decades to come. The Danish golden age and Scandinavian modernism are periods that made Kaare Klint’s name synonymous with icon.
Kaare Klint’s appreciation for clean lines, simple ornamentation and an understanding of the human body translated into a design philosophy that has truly influenced the designs of today. Kaare Klint crafted pieces that embodied a perfect balance of form and function. This balance was achieved from his education as an apprentice in his father’s architectural practice. This is where he was educated in classic realism and ergonomics, this allowed him to understand the proportions and requirements of furniture.
Kaare Klint’s training focused a great deal on classical design on a global scale. Egyptian neoclassical design elements run through the veins of pieces. The pieces Kaare Klint crafted encapsulate technical perfection, masked by a minimalist aesthetic. The joinery flawlessly fits together, questioning whether the pieces were crafted from a single block of wood. Kaare Klint’s legacy was imbued in the physical, his architectural and furniture masterpieces and the philosophical, as a lecturer Kaare Klint passed on his knowledge to students that would continue to inspire pieces based on his design philosophy.
H: 89 cm / 2' 11"
W: 57 m / 1' 10"
D: 58 cm / 1' 11"
SH: 48 cm / 1' 7"
Price: on application
