Frits Henningsen 1889 – 1965

Frits Henningsen became a cabinetmaker in 1911, his master was the renowned I.P. Mørck. He followed the classes by Kaare Klint at The Technical School and was a pupil at the early Danish Design School.

After travelling and working in England, Germany and France, he etablished himself in 1915 as a master cabinetmaker with his Furniture Gallery at Nikolai Square in Copenhagen.

He was a member of The Guild and attented the Danish Cabinetmaker´s Guild shows until 1937.

Frits Henningsen had an outstanding sense of quality and a vibrant and forceful personality. He was highly respected by his customers as well as his colleagues.

 
Unlike other cabinetmakers he designed the furniture himself - and on the same level as Kaare Klint and Ole Wanscher, who were also influenced by previous styles.

Most of his designs were eleborations of classical types and forms from the French Empire style, the Rococo and 17th century English furniture. But some of his best designs were more free, modern and original.

Frits Henningsen is not commonly known and is a somewhat mysterious figure compared to his famous peers. However in the last few years the interest for his work has been increasing. The large Highback Wingchair is considered to be his most personal and important contribution to Danish Furniture Design.