Story
Finn Juhl (1912–1989) stands as one of the most influential designers and architects of Danish Modern, helping define the movement’s “Golden Age.” Remarkably, Juhl had no background as a cabinetmaker—a rarity among Danish designers of his time. This allowed him to approach furniture with a liberated, sculptural mindset unconstrained by traditional woodworking logic. His abstract, organic forms would have remained conceptual without the extraordinary craftsmanship of master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, whose technical skill enabled Juhl’s visionary designs to come alive.
Unlike the strict functionalist and tradition-oriented approach championed by Kaare Klint and his followers, Juhl drew deep inspiration from abstract art. He rejected the idea of furniture as a “machine for sitting,” believing instead that it should be functional, emotionally expressive, and harmonious with its surroundings. His works sit at the boundary between sculpture and everyday object—pieces that captivate visually while serving a practical purpose.
The defining trait of Juhl’s furniture is its sculptural and organic form. In contrast to Klint’s linear, geometric precision, Juhl embraced curves and fluid silhouettes. Many of his masterpieces feature a visually floating seat—achieved by separating the seat from the structural frame. This signature technique creates a sense of lightness and movement, and led the New York Times to describe his NV45 chair as “a piece of wooden sculpture.”
Though he acknowledged Klint’s influence on functional thinking, Juhl openly criticized the rigidity of the Klint school, calling its strict rules and adherence to tradition a “restrictive force” on the development of Danish design. Juhl’s willingness to question convention, paired with Vodder’s exceptional craftsmanship, reshaped the possibilities of furniture design in Denmark and beyond.
Juhl also pursued industrial production as part of a functionalist ideal to make good design accessible. However, translating his highly sculptural, artisan-made forms into mass production proved challenging, highlighting the tension between craftsmanship and scalability.
On the international stage, Finn Juhl played a pivotal role in establishing Danish Modern in the United States. Exhibitions at MoMA, his iconic design for the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber, and recognition at the Chicago Good Design exhibitions propelled Danish design into global prominence. His expressive, organic style offered a powerful alternative to strict functionalism, demonstrating the artistic diversity of Danish Modern and influencing designers worldwide.
About
Year: 1912–1989
Place: Frederiksberg (Denmark)
Manufacturer: Niels Vodder, Bovirke, Søren Willadsen, France & Søn, Baker Furniture, Ivan Schlechter, Kay Bojesen, Niels Roth Andersen, House of Finn Juhl
History
1912 Born in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen
1930 Entered the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts; visited the Stockholm Exhibition
1934 Joined Vilhelm Lauritzen’s architectural office
1937 Debuted at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition; began collaboration with Niels Vodder; married Inge-Marie Skaarup
1938 Introduced the Grasshopper Chair
1940 Released the Pelican Chair and Pelican Table
1941 Created the Poet Sofa
1942 Became a member of the Danish Architects’ Association; built his home in Ordrup
1943 Received the C.F. Hansen Medal
1944 Designed the Bone Chair (NV44)
1945 Established his own studio; became principal of the School of Interior Design; designed the 45 Chair
1946 Designed the Bing & Grøndahl store; created the 46 Sofa and 108 Chair
1947 Received the Eckersberg Medal
1948 Introduced the 48 Series; met Edgar Kaufmann Jr.
1949 Released the Chieftain Chair and Egyptian Chair
1950 Participated in a London exhibition and debuted in the United States
1951 Appointed Chief Designer for the Chicago Good Design Exhibition; designed the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber; began collaboration with Baker Furniture
1952 UN Trusteeship Council Chamber opened; achieved significant international acclaim
1953 Expanded collaborations with Bovirke and France & Daverkosen
1954 Curated London exhibitions; received honors at the Milan Triennale
1955 Designed the Vibybuerne cinema and France & Søn offices
1956 Designed industrial furniture for France & Daverkosen; began interior projects for Scandinavian Airlines
1957 Ended collaboration with Niels Vodder; redesigned Georg Jensen’s London store; won the Milan Triennale Gold Medal
1960 Worked on the Danish Embassy in Washington D.C.; participated in exhibitions across the United States
1961 Began partnership with Hanne Wilhelm Hansen; received the Kaufmann International Design Award
1964 Awarded the I.D.A. Design Prize in Chicago
1970 Held a major retrospective at Charlottenborg
1978 Named Honorary Royal Designer for Industry (UK)
1982 Retrospective exhibition at Designmuseum Danmark
1984 Awarded the Order of the Dannebrog
1989 Passed away on May 17
2001 Onecollection obtained reproduction rights and established House of Finn Juhl
2003 Finn Juhl Prize founded
2012 Centenary projects solidified global recognition
2022 “Finn Juhl and Danish Chairs” exhibition held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, expanding recognition in Asia
Furniture
・Pelican Chair Model 41
・Poet Sofa Model 46
・No.45 Chair (NV45)
・Chieftain Chair
・Chieftain Sofa
・Grasshopper Chair
・Cocktail Table
・Eye Table
・Egyptian Table
・Tray Table
・Tea Table
・Glove Cabinet
・Sideboard (Bow Front, with Niels Vodder)
・NV44 Armchair
・NV45 Armchair
・NV46 Dining Chair
・NV48 Armchair
・NV49 Sideboard
・NV50 Coffee Table
・FJ51 Council Chair（UN）
・NV52 Dining Table
・NV53 Armchair
・NV55 Sideboard
・NV56 Bookcase
・Nyhavn Desk
・FJ64 Reading Chair
・FJ65 Diplomat Chair
・FJ66 Diplomat Sofa
・Japan Chair (France & Søn)
・Japan Sofa
・Japan Lounge
・Japan Coffee Table
・Wall Unit (France & Søn)
・Baker Sofa
・Baker Lounge Chair
・Baker Coffee Table
・Council Sofa（UN）
・Coloured Drawer Cabinet（Vodder）
・Foldable Tray Table（Vodder）
・Spade Chair (Later Model)