Poul Henningsen

“From the age of 18, when I began to experiment with light, I have been searching for harmony in lighting”

 

Poul Henningsen was born in 1894 in Ordrup, Denmark and became Denmark’s first expert in lighting theory. Even though Poul Henningsen’s is mostly known from his lamps his talent was very diversified. He was trained at the Technical School and the Danish College of Technology, Copenhagen. Ever since 1920 Poul Henningsen worked as an independent architect in Copenhagen where he designed several houses, a factory, a part of Tivoli, and the interiors of two theaters. Beside working as an architect Poul Henningsen wrote articles for several newspapers and periodicals, he scripted a number of revues for Copenhagen theaters, he wrote poems, and was the editor of the magazine “Kritisk Revy” (Critical Revue). From his writings Poul Henningsen was known as a seriously and sharp critical of society and architecture.

“Human beings are like children as soon as they get new toys they trough away their culture and the orgy starts. The electric light gave the possibility of wallowing in light”

As a Copenhagener Poul Henningsen often drove through the city and was shock by what he saw: “When, in the evening, from the top of a tram car, you look into all the homes on the first floor, you shudder at how dismal people’s homes are. Furniture, style carpets, everything in the home is unimportant compared to the positioning of the lighting. It doesn’t cost money to light a room correctly, but it does require culture.”

“It has always been the idea that the PH-lamp should be the lamp for the home. Due to its qualities and its modern appearance it had to be accepted first in offices and public buildings, but it is constructed with the most difficult and noble task in mind: lighting in the home. The aim is to beautify the home and the who live there, to make the evening restful and relaxing.”

In 1924 Poul Henningsen designed his multi-shade lamp. It was the first of what later became known as the “PH-lamp”. The design was based on scientific analysis of a lamp shade’s function. The size, shape, and position of the lamp shades determine the distribution of the light and the amount of glare. In 1924 this lamp won a competition for light fitting for the Paris World Exhibition, and is known as the “Paris lamp”. Poul Henningsen maintained the principle of the Paris lamp throughout his lifetime.

“The task to find a new lighting feature, where the emphasis is on the problem of glare. This is what is attempted with the PH-lamp, and much to indicate that it has been successful.”

Poul Henningsen’s lamp shades are made of separate elements, shaped and assembled in such a way that they cover the bulb and direct the light down upon the table without the rays being reflected more than once. Beside this they give a general light in the room, so that the contrast between the illumination of the walls and table is not to sharp. Within the lamp shade itself the light is distributed so as to lessen the intensity towards the outer edge of each separate element. In this way Henningsen has avoided the abrupt transition from light to darkness which we find, for example, with an ordinary spherical pendant shade in opal glass. To bring the rather harsh white light towards the red end of the spectrum, Henningsen has given the inner side of one element of the shade a red color.

Poul Henningsen did not grew up with the electric light but in the soft glow of the petroleum lamp. His constant inspiration and aim was to cultivate the electric light to achieve a similar softness but yet utilize this new powerful light source.

“I do not subscribe to the idea of an ever-increasing demand for more powerful lighting intensity. It is tempting, but inartistic to continue to increase lighting intensity.”

From Consulate General of Denmark in New York Copyright 1997,
Consulate General of Denmark. All rights reserved.

Poul Henningsen (1894-1967)

More design from Poul Henningsen:

The new PH Artichoke Pale Rose honours Poul Henningsen’s original design – Louis Poulsen

A classic hue  When Poul Henningsen designed the PH Artichoke in 1958, the inside of …

The PH Limited Edition 2022 Collection adds a touch of elegance by Poul Henningsen – Louis Poulsen

Elegant materials and a classic design The PH Limited Edition 2022 Collection adds a touch …

PH 5 Retake, raw and untouched by Poul Henningsen – Louis Poulsen

PH 5 Retake The fixture provides a comfortable, glare-free light, based on the principle of …

PH 2/2 The Question Mark by Poul Henningsen – Louis Poulsen

The fixture has been designed on the principle of a reflecting multi-shade system, emitting a …

With a perfect matt black finish, this version consolidates a bold look for an edgier interior without compromising on either design or quality of light – Louis Poulsen

PH Artichoke in Black The distinctive shape and design of the pendant ensures a completely …

Limited Edition of Poul Henningsen’s PH 2/1 Table, the design and materiality of the elegant classic is paired with the illustrious amber coloured glass shades

PH 2/1 Table lamp In the Limited Edition of Poul Henningsen’s PH 2/1 Table, the …

Louis Poulsen brings back Poul Henningsen’s sophisticated seven-shade glass crown PH Septima

Louis Poulsen brings back Poul Henningsen’s sophisticated seven-shade glass crown, based on the PH Septima …

The PH 5 Family Goes Monochrome – Louis Poulsen

This autumn, Louis Poulsen introduces Poul Henningsen’s iconic PH 5 pendant from 1958 and PH …

Louis Poulsen celebrates Poul Henningsen’s 125th birthday

Louis Poulsen celebrates Poul Henningsen’s 125th birthday

Louis Poulsen celebrates Poul Henningsen’s 125th birthday with new versions of the PH Artichoke, PH …

Poul Henningsen @ Woodhouse Copenhagen

Poul Henningsen @ Woodhouse, Copenhagen

Celebration of Poul Henningsen’s 125th anniversary From February 1 – January 5 2019 Danish designer …

PH 3½-2½ Copper Table by Poul Henningsen – Louis Poulsen

Limited Edition: PH 3½-2½ Copper Table Design: Poul Henningsen You have probably been hoping and …

PH 3½-3 pendant – Louis Poulsen

PH 3½-3 pendant – Louis Poulsen

To mark Poul Henningsen’s 120th birthday on 9 September, Louis Poulsen is launching the new …

Poul Henningsen

“From the age of 18, when I began to experiment with light, I have been …