Arne Jacobsen

With his focus on the simplicity of form and innovative function over trendiness, architect and designer Arne Jacobsen was a pillar of midcentury modern design. One of his best-known creations, the Ant from 1951, was inspired by a plywood chair by Charles Eames. Working with longtime collaborator Fritz Hansen, he further reduced Eames’ original design to a single, stackable piece of molded wood on tube legs, in a range of vivid colors, originally intended for a cafeteria. Two of his other classic designs, the sculptural Swan and Egg chairs from 1958, were created for an architectural commission by the acclaimed SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Jacobsen’s additional public works include the 1941 Aarhus City Hall in Denmark, onto which a caged clock tower was added in response to initial dissatisfaction with the proposed design.