CHARLOTTE PERRIAND, PIERRE JEANNERET, LE CORBUSIER, 1928
Object
The LC2 Fauteuil Grand Confort, Petit Modèle is a masterpiece of modernist design created by architect and artist Le Corbusier in collaboration with his associates Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. The trio introduced the LC2 to the public in 1929 at the Salon d’Automne in Paris, marking a pivotal moment in the history of furniture design.
The iconic LC2 Fauteuil Grand Confort, Petit Modèle was designed in 1928, based on the principles expressed by Le Corbusier in his famous book The Decorative Arts, where he theorized that all humans are fundamentally equal and have similar needs.
According to the great architect, furniture should serve as “extensions of the human body” (introducing the idea of furniture as artificial limbs), adapting to standard needs that are universal.
To realize Le Corbusier’s principles, Charlotte Perriand was the perfect collaborator. In 1925, she had already created tubular steel furniture that met Le Corbusier’s technical and aesthetic demands. With the support of Pierre Jeanneret, the iconic and revolutionary line of furniture was presented at the Salon d’Automne in 1929.
This collection included the LC2, as well as the LC1 Fauteuil à Dossier Basculant, the LC3 Grand Confort Grand Modèle, and the famous Chaise Longue.
LC2 Fauteuil Grand Confort, Petit Modèle
The LC2 embodies Le Corbusier’s modernist principles, emphasizing functionality and an essential form that could be mass-produced. Its most distinctive feature is the external chrome-plated steel tube frame, breaking with the tradition of concealing the structural framework of furniture.
The chair’s aesthetic is based on the contrast between the rigidity of the tubular steel and the comfort of the cushions, which are also integral to the structure.
Beyond its revolutionary aesthetics, the LC2 was designed with a keen focus on comfort. The generously padded cushions offer a soft and welcoming seat, making it ideal for various settings. Traditional materials for these cushions range from leather to fabric, all supported by a robust steel frame.
Its cultural influence is vast, with models found worldwide in both private and institutional interiors. Nearly 100 years after its design, the LC2 remains current and entirely contemporary, serving as an archetype of the modern armchair.
Today, the LC2, along with the LC3 Fauteuil Grand Confort Grand Modèle and other models from the LC series, is part of the most important museum collections worldwide, including the MoMA in New York, the Triennale di Milano, the Vitra Design Museum, and many others.
Produzione E Gli Originali Cassina
Initially produced by Thonet, the license for manufacturing the LC2 was later acquired by Cassina, which has continued to produce this iconic piece since the 1960s (specifically since 1956, the year of Le Corbusier’s death). In addition to the cubic armchair, Cassina also produces a two- or three-seater sofa.
The market offers numerous replicas and imitations of the LC2, varying widely in quality and fidelity to the original design. To identify an original, one can look for the signatures of the three creators on the chair’s frame, along with the Cassina logo and the chair’s serial number.
In recent years, Cassina has also introduced a more eco-friendly version of the LC2, made with more sustainable materials and new colors that honor Corbusian tradition.
CHARLOTTE PERRIAND
Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) was a brilliant and revolutionary French designer. Alongside Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, she created a series of tubular steel furniture that has become legendary. Today, it is believed that these pieces were almost entirely designed by the young Perriand, including the famous Chaise Longue and Fauteuil Grand Confort. The LC series and other iconic pieces of her furniture are now produced by Cassina as part of the “I Maestri” collection.
LE CORBUSIER
Le Corbusier (1887-1965) was one of the great artists and architects of the 20th century, a revolutionary force in the design of objects and interiors. Together with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, he designed a series of furniture pieces that prioritize human needs and remain timeless icons nearly a century after their creation. Since the 1960s, these pieces have been produced by Cassina as the LC series within the “I Maestri” collection.
CASSINA
Founded in 1927 in Brianza by brothers Cesare and Umberto, Cassina is a benchmark for Italian design, thanks to famous collaborations with Gio Ponti, Vico Magistretti, Achille Castiglioni, and today’s leading contemporary designers. With the “I Maestri” line, Cassina also produces iconic pieces of early modernist design, such as those by Mackintosh, Rietveld, and Le Corbusier.
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Specifiche
Cassina
The original version of the LC2 Fauteuil Grand Confort, Petit Modèle chair is available on Frankbros.com >
Dimensions of LC2 Grand Confort:
Frame: Tubular steel.
Finish: Polished chrome or painted in various colors.
Cushion padding: Differentiated density polyurethane foam, polyester fiber wadding combined with velvet or goose down in the feather version.
Upholstery: Fabric or leather.
