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Lot Essay
Oscar Niemeyer rose to global prominence after he was awarded the commission to design the administrative complex of Brasilia in 1956, and today the two towers of the Congressional Palace, flanked by the domed and bowl-like structures of the upper and lower legislative houses, is an enduring symbol of Brazilian boldness and originality. Just four years later, however, Brazil’s elected government was overthrown by a right-wing military coup and left-leaning Niemeyer fled the country, destined to remain in exile until democracy was eventually restored in 1985. During this time Niemeyer relocated to Paris and set-up an office on the Champs-Elysées and, in 1967, was selected to build the new French Communist Party Headquarters in Paris, a landmark which is now the most celebrated example of South America’s most famous architects’ work to be found in Europe. Comprising a shaped office block and a domed conference hall, the main curtain wall to the main building was designed by his collaborator Jean Prouvé who worked with Niemeyer on technical aspects. As well as designing the building, Niemeyer collaborated with his daughter to
design the furniture for the interior. Oscar Niemeyer and his daughter’s first furniture design was the seating furniture for the lobby areas which share the aesthetics of his architecture, spurning geometric influences in favour of the curve. The steel blade-like supports were accompanied by deep oversized seat pads to allow the user to recline and converse in ample comfort. It was Oscar Niemeyer’s desire to create forms that harmonised with the interior of a building rather than those which clashed – too often, for him, the furniture and its internal arrangement compromised the architecture. Two forms of the model, the present example and a floor-skimming low seat version, were produced exclusively by Mobilier International of France in limited quantities during the early 1970s. A subsequent edition was produced in laminated woods and steel in Brazil. The present lot is a scarce surviving early pair which retain their uncharacteristic white leather upholstery.
design the furniture for the interior. Oscar Niemeyer and his daughter’s first furniture design was the seating furniture for the lobby areas which share the aesthetics of his architecture, spurning geometric influences in favour of the curve. The steel blade-like supports were accompanied by deep oversized seat pads to allow the user to recline and converse in ample comfort. It was Oscar Niemeyer’s desire to create forms that harmonised with the interior of a building rather than those which clashed – too often, for him, the furniture and its internal arrangement compromised the architecture. Two forms of the model, the present example and a floor-skimming low seat version, were produced exclusively by Mobilier International of France in limited quantities during the early 1970s. A subsequent edition was produced in laminated woods and steel in Brazil. The present lot is a scarce surviving early pair which retain their uncharacteristic white leather upholstery.