Oscar Niemeyer, Rio Chaise Longue

OSCAR NIEMEYER (Rio de Janeiro, 1907–2012).
“Rio” Chaise Longue. Designed in 1978 for Fasem.
Ash wood, leather, and brass.
In very good condition. May show some very slight signs of use.
Measurements: 173 x 57 x 82 cm.

Designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1978 for the Italian firm Fasem, the “Rio” chaise longue is one of the most iconic pieces of 20th-century furniture and a true reflection of the celebrated Brazilian architect’s organic design language. Inspired by the sinuous curves of Rio de Janeiro’s landscape and the sensuality of modern Brazilian architecture, its spectacular laminated ash wood structure traces an elegant, continuous line that seems to defy gravity. The seat and headrest, upholstered in black leather and suspended by discreet brass elements, enhance the sense of lightness and comfort, while the purity of its forms transforms the piece into a true functional sculpture.

Oscar Niemeyer is considered one of the founding architects of modern architecture in Brazil, as well as the co-founder—alongside Lucio Costa—of Brasília, Brazil’s new capital. In 1936, he was commissioned, along with other architects, to design the Ministry of Education and Health building in Rio de Janeiro. Invited by Lucio Costa, he traveled to the United States in 1938 to participate in the design of the Brazilian Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair. In 1947, he traveled to New York again, this time as a member of the International Committee of Architects tasked with developing the design for the United Nations (UN) headquarters. Undoubtedly, the most ambitious project in 20th-century Latin American architecture was the design and construction of Brasília. Starting in 1956, Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer were responsible for carrying out the project. Once the military dictatorship ended, he returned to Brazil and continued his intense professional activity. During these years, he completed numerous projects in his country, such as the JK Memorial, a museum dedicated to Juscelino Kubitschek in Brasília (1980); the headquarters of the Manchete Television Network (1983); the sambadromes in the cities of Rio de Janeiro (1984) and São Paulo (1991); the Tancredo Neves National Pantheon (1985) in Brasília; the Latin American Memorial (1987), a vast eight-hectare civic center in São Paulo; and the Museum of Contemporary Art (1991) in Niterói.
Source: Fernández, Tomás, and Tamaro, Elena. “Biography of Oscar Niemeyer.” In Biografías y Vidas. The Online Biographical Encyclopedia (Internet). Barcelona, Spain, 2004. Available at https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/n/niemeyer.htm (accessed March 28, 2023).