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By Jessica Whittaker

Bruno Mathsson lived in Varnano, Sweden from 1907-1988. He may well be Sweden’s best known furniture designer.

Bruno Mathsson work has largely defined the Swedish modernism style that is so well known today. His pieces have been described as elegant, simple and innovative. He is famous for his forward thinking and pioneering techniques in both construction and design. Credited with introducing the process of bending laminate wood, he used that method extensively throughout his line of furniture to achieve pieces that are both beautiful and comfortable. Known to experiment with new materials and techniques, he worked with alternative resources such as hemp and linen to create woven webbings for chair seats. Ahead of his time in many respects, he is thought to be a leader in the field of ergonomics; his study of the ‘business of sitting’ was groundbreaking.

In his quest to combine beautiful form with function, late in his career he introduced the idea of a desk chair designed to support the human body while working on a computer. His desire was for his work to always be ‘pleasing to the eye, and restful to the body’. A perfectionist by nature, he was known to insist that his pieces pass inspection while turned upside down. Many of his designs exist in a number of variations as he continued to work to refine and improve them over time.

Mathsson’s furniture was world renowned. Bruno Mathsson launched onto the international scene after a World Fair held in Paris, 1937. There, his pieces were widely acclaimed and large scale international demand quickly followed. Throughout his lifetime he traveled extensively, showing his work and becoming known all over the world.

Although Bruno Mathsson was a much celebrated furniture designer, his work as an architect was not as well known. As in his furniture design, his architectural thinking was progressive as well. He was environmentally concerned long before it was fashionable to be so. The houses he designed were among the very first to be energy aware and efficient. His attempts to always have his designs exist harmoniously with nature are evident in his architectural and furniture work. Much of his architecture is recognizable by his extensive use of glass walls minimizing the boundaries between structure and environment.

Bruno Mathsson was a self taught designer descended from four generations of master cabinet makers. He was trained by his father as a child, giving him an intimate knowledge of woodworking and a respect for hand craftsmanship. He would later use that knowledge to help redefine the manufacturing processes available to woodworkers.

Although always a progressive thinker looking for new innovations, he never lost his respect for handcraftsmanship. Much of his manufacturing and design took place in his fathers shop in Varnamo. To the end, he insisted on signing each of his pieces.

Drawing inspiration from classic 30’s and 40’s style, he worked to create furniture that was both beautiful and effortlessly comfortable. This inspiration combined with his progressive use of technique and materials created a body of work that has largely defined Swedish design.

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