Mid-century furniture by Gerrit Rietveld (Netherlands)

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888 –1964) was a Dutch architect and furniture designer. He was a leading member of the De Stijl movement, an influential art movement that emphasized abstraction and geometric forms. Rietveld's furniture designs are some of the most iconic examples of De Stijl, and his work has had a lasting influence on modern design.

Rietveld was born in Utrecht, Netherlands, the son of a joiner, and he apprenticed with his father from a young age. In 1906, he enrolled in the Utrecht School of Arts and Crafts, where he studied architecture and furniture design. After graduating in 1911, he worked as a furniture maker and designer in Utrecht.

In 1917, Rietveld joined the De Stijl movement. De Stijl was founded in 1917 by Theo van Doesburg, Piet Mondrian, and other artists and architects. The movement was based on the belief that art should be based on simple more... geometric forms and primary colors. Rietveld's furniture designs were a perfect expression of these ideals.

One of Rietveld's most famous furniture designs is the Red and Blue Chair. The chair was designed in 1918 and is made of wood and leather. The chair is a striking example of De Stijl design, with its simple geometric forms and primary colors.

Rietveld also designed a number of other iconic furniture pieces, including the Zig-Zag Chair, the Schröder House, and the Van Gogh Museum. His work has had a lasting influence on modern design, and his furniture is still widely admired and collected today.

Rietveld died in Utrecht in 1964. He was 76 years old. less...