Mirror with Back Light attributed to Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark, 1960s

The Life of Poul Henningsen

Born in Copenhagen in 1894, Poul Henningsen would become a successful designer and architect most noted for his innovative lighting solutions. Henningsen studied at the Frederiksberg Technical School in Denmark, and progressed to the Copenhagen Technical College, which he left in 1917 to become an inventor and painter. Henningsen eventually settled into architecture and design, devoting himself to lighting design.

The Style of Poul Henningsen

Poul Henningsen was deeply interested by how light impacted people, so he developed a series of Ceiling and Pendant Lights ceiling and pendant lights intended to soften and diffuse light. Henningsen was determined to make the harsh light of the then-new electric bulb similar to the warm glow of a petroleum lamp. From 1925 Henningsen designed the PH series for lighting company Louis Poulsen . The series consisted of over a hundred lamps that defined the Danish lighting style. Most famous of these is the 1958 PH Artichoke and PH Snowball, both of which feature multiple aluminium shades that distribute the light evoking the relaxing qualities of petroleum lights. Henningsen’s timeless designs remain in high demand, and the effect he pioneered changed the landscape of the lighting field forever. He passed away in Denmark in 1967.

Poul Henningsen at Pamono

A Poul Henningsen lamp guarantees glare-free and uniform lighting that will transform a room. Their softening effect makes a room more inviting while their iconic design make a statement. Pamono’s Henningsen collection is diverse with many styles to choose from. Instantly recognisable, these are classic examples of Scandinavian Furniture and modern design, which will make a stylish addition to any room. Pamono only features the best items from the best dealers. Each handpicked item is unique, timeless and embodies excellent craftsmanship. With safe online payment and global shipping, purchasing a Henningsen lamp at Pamono couldn’t be easier.

Now recognized as one of the world’s foremost lighting manufacturers, Louis Poulsen began its long life in 1874, first as the Copenhagen Direct Wine Import Company, and then, starting in 1896, as an electrical components and tools supplier. In the 1910s, Louis Poulsen (1871-1934), nephew of the Copenhagen-based company’s original founder, took over and soon after became partners with entrepreneur and electricity enthusiast Sophus Kaastrup-Olsen (1884-1938). Together they reincorporated as Louis Poulsen & Co. In 1917, Kaastrup-Olsen acquired Poulsen's shares and became the company’s sole proprietor, just in time to benefit from the increasing demand for electrically powered fixtures that developed during and after World War I.

In 1924, Kaastrup-Olsen began collaborating with Danish architect Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) on the design of an innovative, three-shade lamp system, after Henningsen was chosen to participate in the legendary Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes to be held the following year in Paris. Henningsen won the gold medal there, and his work with the Louis Poulsen & Co. grew into a lifelong collaboration that remains the foundation of its ongoing production today.

Henningsen was obsessed with light and considered himself a “lighting architect.” With his PH Lamp series, he sought to create glare-free yet direct light where it was most needed, accompanied by soft shadows, lit by the then-new incandescent bulbs. He did not just design a light, but an entire system; around a thousand different models have been designed over the years. Pioneering and timeless classics such as Henningsen’s Artichoke Lamp (1958) and the PH5 (1958), as well as fellow Danish designer Verner Panton’s Ceiling Flower Pot lamp (1968) and Panthella table lamp (1971), are considered to be among the most iconic Scandinavian contributions to modern design culture.

Louis Poulsen—beloved by design lovers around the world—continues to specialize in the development and production of lighting solutions for indoor and outdoor applications. With function, comfort, and ambience at the core of each design, the company’s products can be found in numerous design museum collections, including MoMA (New York), Cooper Hewitt (New York), Philadelphia Museum of Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Museum of Decorative Arts (Copenhagen), Design Museum (London), and Vitra Design Museum (Weil am Rhein). Today Louis Poulsen is part of Polaris Private Equity.

* All images courtesy of Louis Pousen.