Bruno Mathsson1907 - 1988
Bruno Mathsson was one of Sweden’s most influential furniture designers and architects, celebrated for his pioneering approach to ergonomics and his deep interest in how furniture interacts with the human body. Born into a family of master cabinetmakers, Mathsson developed an intuitive understanding of craftsmanship early in life, a foundation that shaped his lifelong commitment to comfort, proportion and the poetic potential of simple materials.
During the 1930s he began to challenge conventional furniture construction by exploring bentwood techniques, laminated beech and woven canvas supports, materials that allowed him to achieve light, flexible forms that responded naturally to the sitter’s posture. His designs, with their flowing lines and sculptural silhouettes, introduced a new concept of comfort in Scandinavian interiors. Chairs such as the Pernilla, Eva and Jetson exemplify Mathsson’s belief that furniture should support the body’s natural contours and promote relaxation without sacrificing aesthetic clarity.
Mathsson also contributed significantly to architectural culture, designing houses and glass pavilions that reflected the same principles of lightness and openness found in his furniture. His work became a defining element of Scandinavian modern design, admired for its minimalism, structural ingenuity and harmonious blend of craftsmanship and innovation.
Today, Bruno Mathsson’s furniture is recognised as a cornerstone of mid-century Scandinavian design, valued by collectors and scholars for its technical brilliance, timeless elegance and its role in shaping the modern understanding of ergonomic living.
