Protomodernism

1897- 1959

Protomodernism was a style that rejected the aesthetics of the past and ornamentation. An interesting designer of the time was Josef Hoffmann. He was an architect and designer for fifty years, who lived from 1870-1956 and worked with textiles, metals, and furniture. He was inspired by the arts and crafts movement but had a style very much his own. He used geometric lines and was known for his cube and square design. A lot of the furniture that he created is still replicated and also used as inspiration for many furniture pieces today.

Video on a furniture collection to show even more of his furniture:

               

Josef Hoffmann Original Barrel Chair         

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lf1r3P1DHA

Peer Reviews:

Erin Kelly: I enjoyed that you chose to 

include Frank Lloyd Wright and Gerrit

Rietveld, it showed a variety of designers from the same style (protomodernism) they both fall into the same category yet you can see distinctive differences between them. 

Demi Pas: I saw that she also provided information on two separate designers. I enjoyed not only the information on Otto Wagner but also the images 

she used to portray his style, 

there was something 

very architectural about 

her blog post.  

                                                 

                

Modern interpretation of the Barrel Chair, it retains the 

similar shape but has cleaner lines.

                        

        

                         Kubus Chair (keeps in line with his geometric

                         tendencie and his love of cubes) Repeating cube 

                         shape with circular feet. Lounge chair upholstered 

                         in leather. (original) 

                       

                         A modern sofa almost completely replicates Josef Hoffmann 

                        with only a change to the legs that are now also cubes as well. 

                        The piece is timeless as it seamlessly fits in to a current interior.