01. Saarinen & Florence Knoll
working on pedestal line
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
02. Invitation – Knoll Associates
first public showing of Saarinen single pedestal chair
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
03. Prototype Drawing
of early pedestal chair
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
04. Prototype Drawing
of early pedestal chairs & table
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
05. Prototype Drawing
of early pedestal chairs & table
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
06. Molded Shell Chair
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
07. Pedestal Stools & Table
photographer: Michael A. Vaccaro
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
09. Knoll No. 72, 73, 74 Chairs
photographer: Harvey Croze, Cranbrook
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
10. Advertisement for the Womb Chair No. 70
designed by Herbert Matter
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
11. Eero Saarinen in his 1948 Womb Chair
photographer: Harvey Croze, Cranbrook
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
12. Knoll Furniture Design – Chicago Storefront
Carson, Pirie, Scott and Co. Store, 1949
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
13. Drake University – Dormitory Social Room
in 1955 magazine
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
14. Knoll No. 71 Armchair
photographer: Harvey Croze, Cranbrook
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
15. Advertisement for the Chair No. 72p
with Mime Marcel Marceau, designed by Herbert Matter
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
16. Side Chairs
Courtesy Eero Saarinen Collection. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University
17. Grasshopper Chair
All images courtesy of the Eero Saarinen Collection Manuscripts & Archives – Yale University Library
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The second in an ongoing series featuring the work of my favorite mid-century modernist, architect and furniture designer Eero Saarinen (1910–1961). Here I have focused on his iconic chair designs manufactured by Knoll Associates. Have a look back at Saarinen – Part 1 — a heavy dose of architectural design candy featuring the jet age TWA Flight Center located at JFK Airport in New York City.
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Important reminder: If you are in the New York City area anytime between now and the end of January 2010, I strongly recommend catching the first (surprisingly) Saarinen retrospective exhibit (Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future) at the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY).
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent article! Thank you!
Besides the archives at Yale (which is fantastic!), do you know of any other good online or printed resources concerned with Saarinen’s work? I’m especially looking for a timeline of furniture design/production, but really anything talking about his furniture would be great. I’m all Googled out.
Beautiful stuff. I am especially fond of the womb chair. Also love the graphic work that Herbert Matter did for Knoll. Have you seen the clip for the new documentary coming out in spring?
http://www.herbertmatter.net/home.html
I think this is going to be good!
Thanks you guys for the comments!
Scott: I will be emailing you soon. The lack of a definitive Saarinen furniture timeline/info is glaring, eh!
Laura: Yes, Matter’s work is so iconic and wonderful. I have him listed in the credit lines above but had planned to give him much more deserved attention and do a full Matter feature in coming weeks. Thanks so much for the doc link… ace!