Aksel Bender Madsen
Encyclopedia
Aksel Bender Madsen, often known simply as Bender Madsen, (1916–2000) was a Danish furniture designer who worked closely together with Ejner Larsen
producing a wide variety of items during the Danish modern
period.
on the Danish island of Funen
, Madsen was the son of farmer Niels Martin Madsen. After training as a cabinetmaker, he attended the Furniture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1940. Thereafter he worked with architects Kaare Klint and Arne Jacobsen
until 1943.
From 1942, he designed his own models which he exhibited at the annual Cabinetmakers Guild's exhibitions in Copenhagen. While studying at the Academy, he met Ejner Larsen
who became his partner. In 1947, they established a design studio together. The same year, they presented works made by cabinetmaker Willy Beck at the Cabinetmakers Guild's exhibition in Copenhagen where they continued to participate year after year, working with Beck for a total of 25 years. In addition to sculptural chair designs, they also designed living rooms, bedrooms, shelving, dining tables, and office furniture. Their most notable work is the Metropolitan Chair, in bent plywood, which was exhibited in 1949 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen
from 1952. All their works have a clear, timeless, simple style which continues to please today. In Madsen's own words:
"What Ejner Larsen and I have made has always been in line with the principles we learnt from Kaare Klint about what is functional and what is natural. The requirements made set the design."
Madsen also taught at the Danish Design School
in Copenhagen from 1946 to 1954.
Ejner Larsen
Ejner Larsen was a Danish furniture designer who worked closely together with Aksel Bender Madsen.-Biography:Son of cabinetmaker Otto Larsen, he was born in Copenhagen on 30 March 1917. After training as a cabinetmaker, he learnt furniture design at the Design School in Copenhagen, qualifying in...
producing a wide variety of items during the Danish modern
Danish modern
Danish modern, frequently capitalized as Danish Modern, is a vintage style of minimalist wood furniture from Denmark associated with the Danish design movement...
period.
Biography
Born on 16 August 1916 in RingeRinge
Ringe is a town with a population of 5,547 on Funen in central Denmark. It is the seat of Faaborg-Midtfyn municipality, and was previously the seat of the now abolished Ringe municipality. The main office of Rynkeby Foods, a major danish producer of juice and squash, is located in Ringe.-External...
on the Danish island of Funen
Funen
Funen , with a size of 2,984 km² , is the third-largest island of Denmark following Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy, and the 163rd largest island of the world. Funen is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 454,358 inhabitants . The main city is Odense, connected to the...
, Madsen was the son of farmer Niels Martin Madsen. After training as a cabinetmaker, he attended the Furniture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1940. Thereafter he worked with architects Kaare Klint and Arne Jacobsen
Arne Jacobsen
Arne Emil Jacobsen, usually known as Arne Jacobsen, was a Danish architect and designer. He is remembered for contributing so much to architectural Functionalism as well as for the worldwide success he enjoyed with simple but effective chair designs.-Early life and education:Arne Jacobsen was born...
until 1943.
From 1942, he designed his own models which he exhibited at the annual Cabinetmakers Guild's exhibitions in Copenhagen. While studying at the Academy, he met Ejner Larsen
Ejner Larsen
Ejner Larsen was a Danish furniture designer who worked closely together with Aksel Bender Madsen.-Biography:Son of cabinetmaker Otto Larsen, he was born in Copenhagen on 30 March 1917. After training as a cabinetmaker, he learnt furniture design at the Design School in Copenhagen, qualifying in...
who became his partner. In 1947, they established a design studio together. The same year, they presented works made by cabinetmaker Willy Beck at the Cabinetmakers Guild's exhibition in Copenhagen where they continued to participate year after year, working with Beck for a total of 25 years. In addition to sculptural chair designs, they also designed living rooms, bedrooms, shelving, dining tables, and office furniture. Their most notable work is the Metropolitan Chair, in bent plywood, which was exhibited in 1949 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen
Fritz Hansen
Fritz Hansen, also known as Republic of Fritz Hansen is a Danish furniture design company. Designers who have worked for Fritz Hansen include: Arne Jacobsen , Poul Kjærholm , Hans J. Wegner , and Piet Hein...
from 1952. All their works have a clear, timeless, simple style which continues to please today. In Madsen's own words:
"What Ejner Larsen and I have made has always been in line with the principles we learnt from Kaare Klint about what is functional and what is natural. The requirements made set the design."
Madsen also taught at the Danish Design School
Danmarks Designskole
The Danish Design School is an institution of higher education in Copenhagen, Denmark, offering a five-year design education consisting of a three-year bachelor programme and a two-year master in design as well as conducting research within the fields of arts, crafts and design...
in Copenhagen from 1946 to 1954.