About Jens Risom

Jens Risom (1916 - 2016) was a Danish-American designer best known for his iconic mid-century designs and pioneering work in introducing modern Scandinavian design to the United States. The son of an architect, Risom was born in Copenhagen and studied at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design where his classmates included Hans Wegner and Borge Mogensen. After working for a time as an architect and designer in Denmark and Sweden, Risom moved to New York City in 1939 to further his career as a designer. In 1942, he partnered with entrepreneur Hans Knoll to launch the Knoll Furniture Company, for which Risom produced 15 of the 20 pieces in their inaugural collection.

In 1946, Risom started his own firm Jens Risom Design, where he continued to produce iconic designs through the 1950s and 60s. His C140 Chair gained renown after it was used in the White House during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration.

Both commercially successful and critically acclaimed, Risom's work is recognized for its influential role in popularizing Scandinavian modern design. His works are featured in instituations such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.