Johannes Andersen: Quintessential Danish organic design

10/16/2023

Behind the leading figures of vintage Danish design who have made the smallest Scandinavian country famous for its design - Hans WEGNER, Arne JACOBSEN, Borge MOGENSEN, Finn JUHL, Verner PANTON - lie other, lesser-known designers who have contributed just as much to the excellence of Danish furniture. Johannes ANDERSEN (1903-1997) is one of them. Less well known than his illustrious contemporaries, he nevertheless produced some of the most elegant pieces of furniture in Scandinavian design; this article pays tribute to him and looks back at his finest creations.

Born in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1903, Johannes ANDERSEN apprenticed as a cabinetmaker, obtaining his certificate in 1922. In the mid-1930s, as modern Danish design gained popularity beyond Denmark, he opened his own workshop, while continuing to work with other design houses, including CFC Silkeborg, Uldum Møbelfabrik in Denmark and Trensum in Sweden.

Johannes ANDERSEN contributed to the dynamism of the Scandinavian furniture industry and, along with many other Danish architects and designers, popularized the excellence of Danish design in a favorable context. While Scandinavian design was already renowned before the Second World War, Danish design acquired its letters of nobility in the aftermath of the Second World War, and established itself on the international scene in the 50s and 60s. Johannes ANDERSEN naturally benefited from this momentum, but he also owed his recognition as a designer to his singular talent, which led him to create wooden furniture of exceptional quality.

What does it have in common with "made in Denmark"? We're tempted to answer this question with an enthusiastic "All", so much so that it symbolizes the know-how and "Hygge" lifestyle that belongs only to the Danes! Scandinavian furniture was known for its distinctive shapes, flowing contours and "understated chic". Andersen certainly followed this aesthetic in his designs. Looking at his work, it's also easy to see the influences of the culture and environment that surrounded him. The characteristics of the Scandinavian ethos are present, but interpreted in a way that is Andersen's alone.

Characteristic of Danish design, ANDERSEN furniture is made from solid wood - much of it teak - to bring warmth to interiors, with clean lines and functional design. Where ANDERSEN stands out is in its more organic approach to form, for which Danish designers were renowned. What can we say, for example, about the famous coffee tables designed by ANDERSEN? While rectangular or even oval shapes are expected, ANDERSEN designs pieces with curved surfaces and beveled edges that soften the concept of sober design, without ever overdoing it. Examples include the famous CAPRI tables and the Smile Cofee Table.

Like his compatriots Ib Kofod-Larsen, Niels Otto Moller, Arne Vodder and Gunni Omann, Johannes ANDERSEN has elevated cabinetmaking to the level of an art, for which his meticulous attention to detail is appreciated. For example, his enfilades are designed to house several storage compartments, double drawers and curved sliding doors. Particular attention is paid to the details of the handles and sliding doors. In the pure tradition of Scandinavian design, the furniture is designed to be functional.

Another characteristic of the style developed by ANDERSEN is a design focused on comfort and the human being. The seats and sofas created by ANDERSEN are designed for a comfortable sitting posture. For example, the bar stools designed by ANDERSEN feature a concave seat designed to "cradle the body, creating the perfect balance between comfort and design". The same goes for the CAPRI sofa, one of the most sought-after pieces by discerning collectors: striking curves, a very "hygge" enveloping design, for maximum comfort. ANDERSEN has also designed dining chairs with curved backrests that not only add style, but also incredible comfort.

With enchanting forms that remain pure, never "too much", functional design adapted to use and impeccable woodworking quality, the furniture pieces designed and conceived by Johannes ANDERSEN embody the quintessence of vintage Danish design.

During his lifetime, Johannes ANDERSEN gained an international reputation that continues to this day, even if he was not the most popular designer of his time. Today's collectors are willing to pay top dollar for his furniture, appreciating its exceptional quality and visually stunning design elements.