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Simple Beauty, Timeless Style: The Legacy of the Danish Modern Design Movement
Did you know? According to the Danish Ministry of Culture, the earliest noteworthy exemplar of Danish design was a Viking warship from 1042 called the Skuldelev. With a long, sleek hull, large sail, and the ability to carry up to 70 crew members, this ship was at once formidable, graceful, and efficient.
Indeed, as the centuries passed, Danish design would garner a reputation for its craftsmanship, simplicity, and durability – qualities that are still very much evident today. From an ancient ship to a contemporary armchair, Danish design marries form and function in a timeless manner.
One of the most impactful styles to come out of Denmark in the last century is Danish Modern. The influence of this movement can be seen in many furnishings of the past several decades, as well as contemporary furnishings in the present day. Notably, Danish Modern furniture formed a core part of the original Copenhagen Imports collection when the store opened in 1970!
Join us as we take a dive into this iconic design style and explore its staying power.
The Danish Modern movement was active from roughly 1930-1970, with its pinnacle in the 1940s. The post WWII baby boom increased the demand for consumer goods, while new manufacturing techniques like steam-bending expanded the realm of design possibilities. In terms of inspiration, Danish Modern designers drew influence from the Modernist movements of the early 20th century, particularly the German Bauhaus style, as well as the traditional Danish art of cabinetmaking. Other influences included classical English, Chinese, Spanish, Greek, and even Egyptian design.
The originator of the style is considered Kaare Klint, a founder of the furniture school at the Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Something of a traditionalist, Klint believed that the forms of furniture had more or less “been perfected throughout history, and that there was no need to reinvent [them],” says Andrew Hollingsworth, expert on Danish design. “Rather than reinventing the chair, he believed we could add modernity to it in terms of line, and then eventually materials,” Hollingsworth explains. Klint would then go on to inspire many other designers who expanded the Danish Modern movement.
These traits are considered defining characteristics of Danish Modern:
These two design styles are sometimes used synonymously – though they do have commonalities in their aesthetics (like clean lines and functional design) and the historical context that gave rise to them (like postwar social and technological changes), they are not the same. According to Mid-Century expert Chris Saari, Mid-Century Modern is broader and more eclectic, using a wider range of materials and techniques. It had more of an emphasis on expanding the boundaries of design, while Danish Modern was more focused on simplicity and functionality.
One will notice that a great number of noteworthy Danish Modern designs were chairs. Designers often showcased their technical prowess through chairs because these furniture pieces demanded a nuanced understanding of physics, engineering, and how to comfortably accommodate different body types. “Mies van der Rohe once said that designing a chair was much more difficult than designing a skyscraper. That’s got to be somewhat of an exaggeration, but the important thing is, it’s a [highly] technical subject,” says Hollingsworth.
Below are a few of the most prominent people associated with Danish Modern, as well as their iconic works – plus contemporary pieces in the Copenhagen collection that show their influence.
Considered the father of Danish Modern, Klint’s philosophy was inspired by classical furniture designs. He aimed to put comfort and function first and believed that form and style would naturally follow – going against the grain of the style-focused teaching of the time. In addition to designing chairs like the Faaborg and Safari, Klint made occasional tables, sofas, and lamps as well. His KK66870 Coffee Table featured a rounded top paired with a rectangular lower shelf, much like the contemporary Aris Coffee Table.
Trained as an architect, Jacobsen designed furnishings that often had curving lines and organic shapes that echoed the human form. He created one of the most recognizable pieces of the Danish Modern movement, the Egg Chair, featuring a winged headrest and round, egg-like silhouette. Other notable works include the Swan and Ant Chairs, also inspired by nature. Jacobsen’s forms have contemporary parallels in pieces like the Stressless® Wing Recliner and the Paragon Dining Chair.
Another designer with an architecture background, Juhl developed a striking style that was sculptural, airy, flowing, and playful. He brought Danish Modern to the US in 1952 when he designed a room for the UN Headquarters in New York. Juhl’s bold designs like the Chieftain and Pelican Chairs were inspired by modern art and aimed to make the sitter look like they were floating. Other pieces include the 45 Chair and the extendable Silver Table, which find their present-day counterparts in designs like the Edge Chair and the Joyce Table.
Referred to as the “Master of Chairs,” Wegner was highly prolific and designed nearly 500 chairs in his lifetime. With a background in cabinet making, Wegner prized simplicity and the natural beauty of wood, also taking advantage of steam-bending technology to create striking shapes. His iconic Wishbone Chair was inspired by the thrones of Chinese emperors, and the modern-day Tyler Chair shows its influence. Indeed, many of today’s designs like the Blaire and Branson Chairs recall Wegner pieces like the CH22 and CH23.
Trained as a cabinetmaker, Mogensen drew on traditional techniques that he elevated with a modern sensibility, resulting in furniture that was simplified, sturdy, and durable enough for daily use. Mogensen brought his design prototypes into his home and only approved them if they could stand up to everyday life with his family and children. His iconic Spanish Chair was inspired by a medieval Spanish design and features a wide, solid frame with a leather seat and back. It finds a lighter, contemporary descendant in the Suite Chair.
Known as the “Grand Dame of Danish Design,” Ditzel brought a unique range of skills to the movement with her design portfolio that included jewelry, textiles, and even play spaces for children, in addition to furniture. She enjoyed using both classic and unconventional materials, from wood to fiberglass, to create organically inspired pieces. Her iconic Hanging Egg Chair boasted a suspended, cocoon-like form, while the circular backrest of her Ring Chair is mirrored in the contemporary Barbara Chair.
Copenhagen takes pride in our Danish roots and commitment to beautiful craftsmanship. Our collection includes modern-day inheritors of the Danish tradition, like Skovby of Denmark (creator of sustainable dining pieces), HOUE (maker of versatile outdoor furniture), and others. Whether it’s the fine woodwork of a side chair or the timeless elegance of a dining table, the Danish Modern movement has made an indelible impact on contemporary furnishings. Stop into Copenhagen and discover a legacy of impeccable design.