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Desk

A work made of steel and maple, with original upholstery (later laminated surface).
© 2018 Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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  • A work made of steel and maple, with original upholstery (later laminated surface).

Date:

1937–39

Artist:

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
American, 1867–1959
Metal Office Furniture Company (now Steelcase, Inc.)
American, founded 1912
Grand Rapids, MI

About this artwork

When businessman H. F. Johnson Jr. set out to build new offices for the S. C. Johnson company in Racine, Wisconsin, he wanted “to get the greatest architect in the world.” To him, that was Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned for his designs based on the principles of nature that integrated exterior, interior, and furnishings. The curved forms and earth tones of this desk and armchair (1972.311) echo Wright’s architectural designs for the project, which included rounded brick buildings filled with columns that widened as they reached the ceiling. Although Wright was known for resisting changes to his designs, the three-legged chair proved unsteady and he altered later versions to have four feet.

Status

On View, Gallery 265

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Frank Lloyd Wright

Title

Desk

Place

Grand Rapids (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

c. 1937–1959

Medium

Steel and maple, with original upholstery (later laminated surface)

Dimensions

96.5 × 212.7 × 138.8 cm (38 × 83 3/4 × 54 5/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Johnson Wax Company

Reference Number

1972.310

Copyright

© 2018 Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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