Poul Henningsen 1894-1967

Born in Ordrup Poul Henningsen trained as an architect at the Danish College of Technology in Copenhagen. On graduating he worked in Copenhagen as an independent architect.

Finding the style of traditional lighting designs to be insufficient for his interiors he began designing his own solutions. He was depressed by "how dismal people's homes are," and realised that "electric light gave the possibility of wallowing in light." Poul Henningsen was evangelistic towards the development of modern lighting.

His two most successful designs the "PH lamp," designed in 1924 and the "Artichoke" have become icons of modern design.

The "PH" lamp, also callled the "Paris" lamp because of its award winning appearance at the Paris World Exhibition incorporates tiers of shades, allowing the user to direct light in several different directions without exposing the light source.

The "Artichoke" develops the same idea using even more panels and layers of shades.

Henningsen reworked the design to make the table, wall and hanging lamp, pioneering the use of multiple shades.

Henningsen was aware of the differences in tones between the levels of intensity and he worked to create the most balanced effect. He also varied the internal colours of his shades in order to give off light from different parts of the spectrum. Using different types of glass, for the shade he also achieved a wide range of light quality that contributed to the overall interior environment.

Every year Henningsen exhibited at the Cabinetmaker's Guild Exhibitions in Copenhagen but is also known in Denmark as a poet, playwright, journalist and as editor of the magazine "Kritisk Revy" (Critical Revue) he was regarded as a serious commentator on cultural matters