«A chair should not have a back that needs to be hidden. It should be beautiful from all sides and from all angles. »
Hans J. Wegner

A world-renowned designer of iconic Danish chairs, Hans J. Wegner (1914-2007) insisted on infusing his functional designs with a poetic and playful touch. Wegner's essential rocking chair, the J16, was designed as part of a program to popularize the idea of simple modernism led by Børge Mogensen in 1940s Denmark.

Hans J. Wegner is acclaimed for his chair designs that made Danish mid-century design popular internationally. He began his career as a cabinetmaker in 1932, then studied at the Copenhagen School of Arts & Crafts with his colleague and friend, Børge Mogensen, born the same year as him. Over a long and productive life, Wegner designed around 500 chairs, many of which became popular classics that are still in production today.

As a child, Wegner showed a keen interest in woodcarving and often visited the local museum for inspiration from the statues. Later, he abandoned wood carving, but carried away his fascination for this material and sculpture when he trained as a furniture maker and designer.

Wegner's design reflects his understanding that a chair is a piece of furniture in close contact with the human body, a fact that places high demands on comfort and ergonomics. His training in furniture making fueled his love of wood and uses his unique talent to master the grain of wood and create surprising sculptural lines.

Wegner's furniture is exhibited in prestigious design museums around the world and his work has received several distinctions and awards, such as the Lunning Prize in 1951 or the 8th International Design Prize in 1997. He was also named Honorary Doctor at the Royal College of Art in London.

Throughout his impressive career, Hans J. Wegner designed over 500 pieces of furniture, of which the Ox chair was his favorite. His designs have, over time, won numerous international awards and many have achieved iconic status around the world.