Ilse Crawford has developed a fresh color palette for a limited-edition release of the first chairs that Wegner created for Carl Hansen & Son in 1950. The First Masterpieces collection - created to celebrate Hans J. Wegner's enduring legacy and more than 70 years of collaboration - includes the most iconic designs in furniture history: CH22 Lounge Chair, CH23 Chair, CH24 Wishbone Chair, CH25 Lounge Chair and the CH26 Chair.
The environmentally friendly, water-based colors all have a slightly transparent finish, which allows the chair's original oak wood grain to shine through, creating a nuanced sense of color and texture. "We wanted to develop a set of colors that reflects the times we live in, and we believe these subdued and muted tones will resonate with a contemporary audience," Crawford explained. "We were inspired by the paintings of the late Danish artist, Per Kirkeby, whose interest in nature and geology was brilliantly manifested in his work. These are not easy, trend-driven or standard decorative colors, but ones that add depth and complexity to any interior."
The five designs have very different expressions yet are all bearing Wegner's unique fingerprint and emphasis on impeccable craftsmanship. "These pieces were the forerunners for what would develop into an impressive collection of some of the most iconic pieces of furniture in the world, and to be able to refresh them for a new generation is a great pleasure," commented Carl Hansen & Son CEO, Knud Erik Hansen. "Ilse has an ability to imbue any project with great insight and relevance, and this new color scheme has its own cultural history, rooted in Nordic abstraction."
The muddy, painterly tones nod to the raw beauty of the Nordic landscape and they are intended to work both as a group and independently. "Color is so closely tied to our emotions, to our mood," noted Crawford, "And we think these subtle tones will contribute to the creation of a warm, relaxed and natural environment."
Photos: Courtesy of Carl Hansen & Son