Finn Juhl, Baker sofa

FINN JUHL (1912, Frederiksberg - 1989, Gentofte, Denmark).
Baker sofa, design 1951. Reissued in 2009.
Oak and walnut frame. Textile upholstery.
Stamped and signed Finn Juhl.
This piece is paired with the lot 40039104.
Measurements: 98 x 195 x 80 cm; 44 cm (seat height).

Designed in 1951 for Baker Furniture, the "Baker" sofa is one of Finn Juhl's most emblematic creations and a key piece in the international diffusion of Danish post-war design. Its importance lies in the audacity with which Juhl transformed the sofa into an object with a strong sculptural presence, moving away from strict functionalism to conceive furniture as an autonomous art form.
The piece stands out for its unmistakable elevated and floating backrest, with an organic profile that seems to become visually independent of the seat. The curved armrests gently envelop the structure, while the exposed wood base - in oak and walnut - provides warmth, lightness and material contrast. This separation between the upholstered elements and the supporting structure is one of Juhl's most characteristic resources, also present in his most celebrated designs.
The model was conceived in the context of Finn Juhl's collaboration with Baker Furniture, an American firm that played a decisive role in introducing Scandinavian design to the North American market. The "Baker Sofa" therefore represents not only the designer's formal maturity, but also a pivotal moment in the consolidation of Danish design as an international phenomenon.

Finn Juhl was one of the essential figures of Scandinavian design in the 20th century and the first Danish furniture designer to achieve wide international renown. Trained as an architect at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen, he developed his own language, influenced by modern sculpture and abstract art. From the late 1930s he began to design furniture with free, expressive and organic lines, often in collaboration with the cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. In contrast to the rationalist tradition of the Kaare Klint School, Juhl defended a more plastic and emotional vision of furniture. Among his most recognized works are the Chieftain Chair and the 45 Chair, both considered landmarks of modern design. His work is represented in important international collections, including that of MoMA in New York.