Watercolors by Hans J. Wegner

Stylish, delightful watercolors by Hans Wegner encompassing his myriad furniture designs

Hans Wegner’s sophisticated chair designs, paragons of the midcentury-modern style, are beloved and imitated the world over, but scant few are familiar with his masterly watercolors. Wegner often used the medium to finish and finalize the drawings made in his workshop. Although woodworking and watercolor were both increasingly considered traditional in the New Media Age, Wegner’s artistic temperament saw him use both these mediums to boundary-breaking effect in his search for the perfect chair.
Watercolors by Hans J. Wegner showcases his watercolors in thematic chapters, delving into the artistic dimensions of his design studio. Beyond illustrations of some of his notable chair models, the featured watercolors also highlight his lighting fixtures and complete room designs. They are interpreted by Anne Blond, director of the future Wegner Museum in Denmark and author of Wegner’s biography on the centennial anniversary of his birth in 2014. Fans of Watercolors by Finn Juhl will love these beautiful and intricate illustrations by this beloved Danish designer.

Known as the “King of Chairs,” Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007) designed over 500 different chairs during his life, of which more than 100 were mass-produced. From his first apprenticeship he showed a natural affinity for woodworking, and almost all his pieces were made from that material. In 1951 he received both the Lunning Prize and the Grand Prix of the Milan Triennale.