Gerrit Rietveld

Netherlands (June 24, 1888 - June 25, 1964)

Rietveld believed that handcrafted furniture of the time was too heavy, too labour-intensive and unnecessarily expensive. He became interested in how to make furniture that was more accessible and with a simpler style. In doing so, his work revolutionised the way that furniture was designed and produced. This began his road to success with the slatted chair, from 1919.