Arne Jacobsen

Arne Emil Jacobsen (1902–1971) was a Danish architect and designer, one of the leading figures in creating the Functionalist style in architecture and in furniture design. He is remembered worldwide for his furniture designs, particularly the Ant Chair (1952), the Series 7 chair (1955), the Egg Chair and the Swan Chair (both 1958). Born in Copenhagen, Jacobsen trained as a mason before studying architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. His work is characterized by simplicity, functionality, and innovative use of materials. The Series 7 chair became one of the most commercially successful chairs in furniture history, selling over 7 million units. Jacobsen designed several important buildings including the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen (1960) and St. Catherine's College in Oxford (1960–1964). His approach combined architectural and interior design with meticulous attention to detail, often designing every element of a building from structure to door handles, cutlery, and furniture. His designs embody Scandinavian modernism and continue to influence contemporary design.