Jens Risom

A
Danish-modern
Pioneer

From the class of 1938, Risom belongs to the notable school of Danish designers that came to revolutionize furniture design.

Jens Risom (1916-2016) was a versatile and successful Danish-American designer and businessman who took USA by storm from the 1940s onwards. As part of a new vanguard, he was one of the first designers to introduce the modernist aesthetics and values of function and craftsmanship to the United States, and throughout the mid-twentieth century he became an important figure in establishing post-war America's leadership role in the world of modern furniture design and manufacturing. Risom believed that design should be subtle and not centerstage. He created furniture for the people, often in rustic, natural materials such as solid oak and colored textile upholstery, and for more than 75 years he meticulously practised a certain American version of Danish-Modern. Today, many of his furniture are considered modern classics and examples of Risom’s designs can be seen in leading design museums around the world.

Described by Wallpaper Magazine in 2016 as “America’s last surviving design star from the Mid-century modernist movement”, Jens Risom passed away later the same year, shortly after celebrating his 100th birthday. A farewell to a legend, but the Risom legacy lives on through an admirable production of more than 1000 designs, some of which are still in production today and some of which will be available through a range of upcoming re-issues in 2018 onwards.

Designed by Jens Risom

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