Kaare Klint
Kaare Klint (1888–1954) was a foundational figure in modern Danish design, often referred to as the father of modern Danish furniture design. Trained initially as a painter and later as an architect, Klint combined rigorous craftsmanship, architectural precision, and human-centered design principles in ways that laid the groundwork for what would become the Danish modern movement.
Klint was born in Frederiksberg, Denmark, into a family of artists and designers. His father, Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, was also an architect, best known for designing Grundtvig’s Church in Copenhagen. Kaare Klint worked with his father before later assisting architect Carl Petersen on the Faaborg Museum (1912–1915), for which he designed the now-famous Faaborg Chair—a seminal piece that established his reputation.
In 1924, Klint was appointed head of the newly established Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. This department was the first of its kind, and under his leadership, it became a hub for the next generation of Danish designers, including Poul Kjærholm, Børge Mogensen, and Hans J. Wegner. Klint taught not only form and function but emphasized proportion, ergonomics, and materials, often basing his furniture on precise anthropometric measurements.
Klint’s own furniture designs are known for their restrained elegance, superior joinery, and clarity of construction. Notable works include:
- Faaborg Chair (1914–15)
- Propeller Stool (1927–30)
- Safari Chair (1933)
- Church Chair (1936)
A defining feature of his method was research-based design. He would often study historical furniture types and redesign them using rational, modernist principles, reducing ornamentation but maintaining utility and proportion. He typically worked with fine materials such as Cuban mahogany, beech, and canvas, combining aesthetic purity with tactile quality.
Klint received numerous accolades for his work. Most notably, he was awarded the C. F. Hansen Medal in 1954, one of Denmark’s most prestigious honors for architectural and artistic achievement. He also participated in major international exhibitions including:
- The Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris (1925), where his approach contrasted sharply with the dominant Art Deco styles
- Milan Triennale, where his rationalist furniture gained international attention
- Retrospective exhibitions at Designmuseum Danmark, where his work remains a central part of the permanent collection
Kaare Klint's influence extended well beyond his own designs. His teaching profoundly shaped the ethos of Danish modernism in the mid-20th century—focusing on clarity, honesty in materials, and the harmony of form and function. Even decades after his death, his impact is visible in the work of many Danish and international designers.
Klint died in 1954, but his legacy is preserved through his students, his design philosophy, and the continued production of his classic furniture pieces by companies such as Rud. Rasmussen and Fritz Hansen. His works are part of permanent collections at institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and Designmuseum Danmark in Copenhagen.
