Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Utrecht Armchairs for Cassina

GERRIT THOMAS RIETVELD (Utrecht, 1888–1964) for CASSINA.
Pair of “Utrecht” armchairs, model 637, designed in 1935.
Leather, foam, wood, and metal.
1980s edition.
Original tags.
In perfect condition, with virtually no signs of use.
Measurements: 72 x 64 x 87 cm.

The “Utrecht” armchair, designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935, was produced by Cassina as part of its collection of great icons of modern design. It features a bold, architectural structure defined by clearly differentiated geometric volumes: a sloping backrest, a low seat, and rectangular arms that extend all the way to the floor, creating an image of great structural strength. The brown leather upholstery, finished with the characteristic exposed thread stitching, underscores the design’s structural clarity and provides a refined graphic hallmark. In the “Utrecht,” Rietveld applies to furniture the principles of balance, abstraction, and functionality that defined his career, creating an armchair with a sculptural presence and great comfort, conceived as domestic architecture on a human scale.

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld was an architect, designer, and one of the key figures of the De Stijl movement and 20th-century European design. The creator of iconic works such as the “Red and Blue” chair and the Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht, his work transformed the relationship between space, structure, color, and function. His designs are part of major international collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Vitra Design Museum, the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.