Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867–1959). <em>Side Chair</em>, 1904. Oak, upholstery, 40 1/8 x 14 3/4 x 18 1/2in. (101.9 x 37.5 x 47cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 83.157a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.157a-b_bw.jpg)

Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867–1959). Side Chair, 1904. Oak, upholstery, 40 1/8 x 14 3/4 x 18 1/2in. (101.9 x 37.5 x 47cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 83.157a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.157a-b_bw.jpg)

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What makes this chair special?

This chair was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most celebrated American architects of the 20th century. Instead of creating elaborate, heavily-ornamented chairs, like those seen in nearby galleries, Wright was highlighting the simple beauty of the wood. Notice how he has reduced the chair down to basic geometric forms - it is a study in right angles, enlivened by one bold diagonal line.

Can you please give me information on this chair by Frank Lloyd Wright?

Wright designed much of his furniture to be fully integrated into architectural interiors. Chairs such as this could be made on a housing site by the same carpenter commissioned to do the building’s woodwork. The simple, undecorated design was relatively easy to produce; the wood uses standard dimensions that one could buy in a lumber yard.

It looks very timeless and modern doesn't it? Hard to believe it was designed over 100 years ago!

What a cool idea. I love the aesthetic!

If you like this, you should check out a chair designed by Greene and Greene nearby. They were working at the same period and were inspired by Japanese carpentry!

Side Chair

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Radical Care

The design of this chair, unlike those of previous eras, does not rely on models from the distant past, “exotic” cultures, or direct observation of nature. Rather, it is expressed in the new, modern language of abstraction based on geometry and planes. Frank Lloyd Wright rejected nineteenth-century concerns about comfort, decoration, and coloration in favor of a simple and unencumbered design that seeks to express the essence of what a chair is.

DESIGNER Frank Lloyd Wright, American, 1867–1959

MEDIUM Oak, upholstery

Place Manufactured: Oak Park, Illinois, United States

DATES 1904

DIMENSIONS 40 1/8 x 14 3/4 x 18 1/2in. (101.9 x 37.5 x 47cm) Seat height: 17 in. (43.2 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS no marks

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 83.157a-b

CREDIT LINE Designated Purchase Fund

PROVENANCE By 1983, inherited from the designed by Nara Natof; by 1983, purchased from Nara Natof by Fifty/50 Gallery, New York, NY; December 15, 1983, purchased from Fifty/50 Gallery by the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Oak side chair (a) with reupholstered slip seat (b). Chair: rectilinear, composed entirely of pieces assembled at right angles, with the exception of the back which is a thin plank of oak that runs, at a slight diagonal, from above and between the tops of the single piece stiles, down into the leg stretcher. Slip seat slips from the seat frame. Condition: Fair, due to usage, crispness of all edges and corners is lost.More detailed condition notes: Most noticeable wear as follows (top to bottom): top edge of back, slightly marred to proper left, with small, old chip with slight (ca. ½") loss; to proper right is small area with traces of red paint (ca. 1"); top proper right corner of back with chip resulting in nearly complete loss of corner (damaged area ca. ¾" long); slightly below, at back edge, is small dent with tiny loss. Top, proper right stile block with horizontal loss to outside edge (ca. 5/8"). Vertical splits to top of proper left stile on inside (ca. 1 ¼") and rear 3 ½'. Outside edges of flat back, at juncture with seat, with indentation on both sides where seat fits in. Front corners of seat frame very worn and separating somewhat, with slight losses to all corner edges. Front rail bows slightly causing separation at proper right corner. Scuff marks, bruising, and scratches to front side of flat back at juncture with seat. Inside of seat rails with numerous old repairs. Dried glue and other matter stuck between pieces. Two small blocks that sit on top of left and right rails at back probably replacements. Nails are driven from inside through proper right seat rail. Piece of veneer that originally covered proper left stretcher from back of cross-stretcher to stile, is almost gone. Opposite side retains veneer, but is popping off in middle. Front of proper right leg with three noticeable vertical splits, with small losses, toward inside edge. Glides added to all four feet. Two small parts of top back rail that are exposed to front are noticeably lighter than other surfaces, probably due to cleaning, which had to be done against the grain. Rear cross-stretcher held in not with wood pegs, but with metal bolts. Seat (b) has been re-upholstered with red vinyl. Vinyl is worn and stained and should be replaced with leather. Largest stain is to top center near rear. Gauze-like fabric under seat loose and torn throughout. Rear cross-stretcher held in not with wood pegs, but with metal bolts. Seat (b) has been re-upholstered with red vinyl. Vinyl is worn and stained and should be replaced with leather. Largest stain is to top center near rear. Gauze-like fabric under seat loose and torn throughout.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Radical Care

CAPTION Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867–1959). Side Chair, 1904. Oak, upholstery, 40 1/8 x 14 3/4 x 18 1/2in. (101.9 x 37.5 x 47cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 83.157a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.157a-b_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 83.157a-b_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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