Wassily™ Chair
designed by Marcel Breuer, 1925
Marcel Breuer, a key figure in the modern movement and a protégé of Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, left an enduring legacy in both architecture and furniture design. His formative years at the Bauhaus in the early 1920s profoundly influenced his approach, embodying the institution's mission to integrate art with industry. Breuer's pioneering use of tubular steel, inspired by bicycle construction and adapted from local plumbers' methods, revolutionized modern interior design. Iconic creations such as the Wassily chair exemplify his seamless blend of form and function.
Although Breuer never directly collaborated with Knoll, his impact on the company was profound. He mentored Florence Knoll during her tenure with Gropius in the 1930s. Eventually, his furniture collection found a home with the Italian design firm Gavin SpA, leading to Knoll's acquisition of Gavin in 1968. The Breuer Collection, featuring timeless pieces like the Cesca side chair and Laccio table, cemented his status as a trailblazer in modern furniture design.
Breuer's creative process, influenced by the durability and flexibility of bicycle components, gave rise to the Wassily chair. His experimentation with bending steel tubes without welding points enabled seamless assembly and chrome finishing, resulting in a chair that epitomized transparency and flexibility. Despite initial skepticism, Breuer's innovative designs earned accolades from luminaries like Wassily Kandinsky and enjoyed widespread acclaim, even furnishing the entire Bauhaus institution.
Source: knoll.com
