Poul Henningsen's PH lamps: legendary luminaires

The PH lamps, which bear the initials of their designer, the Danish architect and writer Poul Henningsen, are an iconic symbol of 20th century design. These classic lighting pieces are not only famous for their aesthetic style, but also for their innovative approach to the diffusion of light. By exploring the history, design and cultural impact of PH lamps, we can better understand why they remain treasured pieces for collectors and design enthusiasts alike. Bearing the initials of their designer, Danish architect and writer Poul Henningsen, PH lamps are an iconic symbol of 20th century design. These classic lighting pieces are not only famous for their aesthetic style, but also for their innovative approach to the diffusion of light. By exploring the history, design and cultural impact of PH lamps, we can better understand why they remain treasured pieces for collectors and design enthusiasts alike. Poul Henningsen at work. Poul Henningsen at work. To mark the 60th anniversary of the PH 5 lamp designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958, the historic publisher of PH lamps, Louis Poulsen, has produced a special 2018 edition of the PH 5 in copper and brass. To mark the 60th anniversary of the PH 5 lamp designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958, the historic publisher of PH lamps, Louis Poulsen, has produced a special 2018 edition of the PH 5 in copper and brass. Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) was a Danish architect, critic, writer and designer who was deeply involved in his country's cultural life between the wars. His passion for light was largely influenced by his mother, an actress, who often criticised the harsh, direct light of theatre spotlights. In 1924, Henningsen began work on a lamp model for Louis Poulsen, a Danish lighting manufacturer, as part of a design competition for the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. He designed various models, both wall and floor lamps. His designs won a gold medal, establishing Henningsen as an innovative lighting designer. Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) was a Danish architect, critic, writer and designer who was deeply involved in his country's cultural life between the wars. His passion for light was largely influenced by his mother, an actress, who often criticised the harsh, direct light of theatre spotlights. In 1924, Henningsen began work on a lamp model for Louis Poulsen, a Danish lighting manufacturer, as part of a design competition for the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. He designed various models, both wall and floor lamps. His designs won a gold medal, establishing Henningsen as an innovative lighting designer. View of the 1925 Universal Exhibition in Paris. View of the different pavilions. An event that marked the apogee of the Art Deco style. View of the 1925 Universal Exhibition in Paris. View of the different pavilions. An event that marked the apogee of the Art Deco style. What did Poul Henningsen revolutionise? The most remarkable feature of the various PH lamps is their system of superimposed shades. For the Paris World Fair, Poul Henningsen first produced a suspension lamp with three shades. This was the first lamp in his "System PH" series. Layers were meticulously designed to diffuse the light gently and evenly, avoiding direct glare. The shades are often made of opalised glass or metal and arranged concentrically. This arrangement allows light to be distributed in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. What did Poul Henningsen revolutionise? The most remarkable feature of the various PH lamps is their system of superimposed shades. For the Paris World Fair, Poul Henningsen first produced a suspension lamp with three shades. This was the first lamp in his "System PH" series. Layers were meticulously designed to diffuse the light gently and evenly, avoiding direct glare. The shades are often made of opalised glass or metal and arranged concentrically. This arrangement allows light to be distributed in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Model PH 4/3 table lamp in brass and lacquered copper. Design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1926-1928 Table lamp Model PH 4/3 in brass and lacquered copper. Design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1926-1928 Wall lamp Model PH-1 in brass and glass. Design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1930s Wall lamp Model PH-1 in brass and glass. Design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1930s Wall lamp Model PH-1 in brass and glass. Design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1930s. Lighting in the dark. Wall lamp Model PH-1 in brass and glass. Design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1930s. Lighting in the dark. Over the years, the PH lamp has undergone several variations. Among the most famous are the PH Artichoke, the PH 5 and the PH Snowball. Each of these versions features changes in the design of the shades or the use of materials, but all remain faithful to Henningsen's original lighting philosophy. PH 5, in particular, was designed in 1958 in response to the constant evolution in bulb shapes and sizes. Whereas light radiated from a single point in the luminaire, the new frosted glass bulbs diffused the light over the entire surface, making it more difficult to calculate the direction of the light rays and redirect them. With the PH 5, Poul Henningsen adjusted the original design to accommodate the new bulbs without compromising the quality of the light. Over the years, the PH lamp has undergone several variations. Among the most famous are the PH Artichoke, the PH 5 and the PH Snowball. Each of these versions features changes in the design of the shades or the use of materials, but all remain faithful to Henningsen's original lighting philosophy. PH 5, in particular, was designed in 1958 in response to the constant evolution in bulb shapes and sizes. Whereas light radiated from a single point in the luminaire, the new frosted glass bulbs diffused the light over the entire surface, making it more difficult to calculate the direction of the light rays and redirect them. With PH 5, Poul Henningsen has adjusted the original design to accommodate the new bulbs without compromising the quality of the light. Pendant Model PH 5 in aluminium, design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1960 Pendant Model PH 5 in aluminium, design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1960 Pendant Model PH 5 in aluminium, design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1960. The PH 5 suspension offers harmonious, glare-free light. Suspension model PH 5 in aluminium, design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1960. The PH 5 suspension lamp provides harmonious, glare-free light Among the hundred or so lamps created by Poul Henningsen over the course of his career, the Artichoke model, in reference to its artichoke shape, occupies a special place. Inspired by his work on the PH Septima lamp in glass, the Artichoke lamp is the culmination of the designer's work on indirect light. Designed using interlocking "leaves" on which the light is reflected, the PH Artichoke reveals a remarkable technical feat. The staggered, overlapping leaves shield the eye from direct light and give the object a strong sculptural presence, making it an icon of modern design. Among the hundred or so lamps created by Poul Henningsen over the course of his career, the Artichoke model, in reference to its artichoke shape, occupies a special place. Inspired by his work on the PH Septima lamp in glass, the Artichoke lamp is the culmination of the designer's work on indirect light. Designed using interlocking "leaves" on which the light is reflected, the PH Artichoke reveals a remarkable technical feat. The staggered overlapping leaves shield the eye from direct light and give the object a strong sculptural presence, making it an icon of modern design. PH Septima suspension lamp, designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1928. A suspension lamp in extremely refined Italian borosilicate glass... PH Septima suspension lamp, design by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1928. A suspension lamp in Italian borosilicate glass that is excessively refined... Artichoke Suspension Lamp, design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1958 Artichoke Suspension Lamp, design Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1958 Artichoke Suspension Lamp in a contemporary interior, a timeless choice! Artichoke suspension lamp in a contemporary interior, a timeless choice! Artichoke suspension lamp in copper designed by Poul Henningsen for the Langelinie Pavilion in Copenhagen, 1957-1959. Simply magnificent! Artichoke suspension lamp in copper designed by Poul Henningsen for the Langelinie Pavilion in Copenhagen, 1957-1959. Simply magnificent! Artichoke suspension lamp in copper designed by Poul Henningsen for the Langelinie Pavilion in Copenhagen, 1957-1959, details. Artichoke suspension lamp in copper designed by Poul Henningsen for the Langelinie Pavilion in Copenhagen, 1957-1959, details. The PH lamp is much more than a lighting design concept. It has become an emblematic element of Scandinavian design, recognised for its functionality, simplicity and beauty. Poul Henningsen was determined to create a simple, high-quality design that was accessible to the general public, a characteristic shared by many Scandinavian designers at the time. The PH Lamp went far beyond the scope of lighting design. It has become an emblematic element of Scandinavian design, recognised for its functionality, simplicity and beauty. Poul Henningsen was determined to create a simple, high-quality design accessible to the general public, a characteristic shared by many Scandinavian designers at the time. Henningsen's lighting philosophy paved the way for deeper reflection on the interaction between light, space and human well-being. His design principles are still relevant to modern discussions on ecological lighting and the ergonomics of living and working spaces. This is why his work on lighting is a powerful legacy that has left a lasting mark on the history of modern and contemporary design. Henningsen's philosophy of lighting has paved the way for deeper reflection on the interaction between light, space and human well-being. His design principles are still relevant to modern discussions on ecological lighting and the ergonomics of living and working spaces. This is why his work on lighting is a powerful legacy that has left a lasting mark on the history of modern and contemporary design. PH Snowball suspension lamps. A piece whose organic shape is reminiscent of a snowball, designed by Poul Henningsen to light the premises of the Danish Adventist church in Skodsborg. Brilliant! PH Snowball suspension lamps. A piece whose organic shape is reminiscent of a snowball, designed by Poul Henningsen to light the premises of the Danish Adventist Church in Skodsborg. Brilliant! François BOUTARD François BOUTARD

Poul Henningsen's PH lamps: legendary luminaires

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