Bruno Mathsson

As a furniture designer, Bruno Mathsson has achived classic status, but as an architect he has until now been kmown to a much smaller group of admirers. In both roles he was an autodidact, and it is Mathsson's attitude and approach that characterize his entire work, more than the spirit of the time. With complete self-confidence and a faith in his own ability, the carpenter's son from Värnamo plotted his own career from apprentice in his father's factory to international success with his own company. Keeping Värnamo in southern Sweden, as his base, he became world-famous for his curvaceous furniture and his Scandinavian image. In The Swedish welfare state, a Mathsson chair was on everyone's wish list. Here Bruno Mathsson is portayed by three authors. Dag Widman explores the person Bruno Mathsson, as well as the furniture designer. Karin Winter searches for his sources of inspiration. Nina Stritzler-Levine writes about Mathsson's exceptional reception in the United States.