HISTORY OF DANISH AESTHETICS 76Inspired by
Modernism
Danish design was in-
spired by modernism, a
radical shift in the way
society viewed life, art,
politics, and life. Follow-
ing the horrors of World
War I, people sought to
re-invent themselves and
changes brought on by
technology and the in-
dustrial revolution made
this shift almost inevita-
ble. From 1900 to 1930,
modernism’s principles of
practicality and useful-
ness infiltrated architec-
ture, furniture, literature,
and art.Architectural functionalism
Copenhagen-born Arne Jacobsen’s Drop, Egg, and Swan
chairs are typical examples of the ‘architectural func-
tionalism’ of this era. Danish designers wanted ‘art’ to
have a purpose, first and foremost. This design aesthetic
stood in stark contrast to the flamboyance of preceding
styles such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco.Light and bright
Long dark Danish win-
ters inspired designers to
create interiors that were
light, bright, simple, and
focused upon comfortable
family life. White pine,
beech, and ash wood were
preferred over darker,
moodier woods that ab-
sorbed the failing light.Home
History
of Danish
design
The Scandinavian
revival
Since the 1990s, Scandi-
navian design has experi-
enced a resurgence corre-
sponding to an ecological
push for sustainable and
practical designs that ar-
en’t harsh on the planet.HISTORY OF DANISH AESTHETICS 76
Inspiredby
Modernism
Danishdesignwasin-
spiredbymodernism,a
radicalshiftintheway
societyviewedlife,art,
politics,andlife.Follow-
ingthehorrorsofWorld
WarI, peoplesoughtto
re-inventthemselvesand
changesbroughtonby
technologyandthein-
dustrialrevolutionmade
thisshiftalmostinevita-
ble.From 1900 to1930,
modernism’sprinciplesof
practicalityanduseful-
nessinfiltratedarchitec-
ture,furniture,literature,
andart.
Architectural functionalism
Copenhagen-born Arne Jacobsen’s Drop, Egg, and Swan
chairsare typical examples of the ‘architectural func-
tionalism’ of this era. Danish designers wanted ‘art’ to
havea purpose, first and foremost. This design aesthetic
stoodinstark contrast to the flamboyance of preceding
stylessuch as Art Nouveau and Art Deco.Light and bright
Long dark Danish win-
ters inspired designers to
create interiors that were
light, bright, simple, and
focused upon comfortable
family life. White pine,
beech, and ash wood were
preferred over darker,
moodier woods that ab-
sorbed the failing light.Home
History
of Danish
design
The Scandinavian
revival
Since the 1990s, Scandi-
navian design has experi-
enced a resurgence corre-
sponding to an ecological
push for sustainable and
practical designs that ar-
en’t harsh on the planet.