Vilhelm Lauritzen 'Vl38' Table Lamp 1930 for Louis Poulsen

About the Item

Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL38' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen. Designed in 1930. New, current production. The VL38 table lamp was originally designed in the late 1930s by Vilhelm Lauritzen in partnership with Louis Poulsen for the construction of the Radiohuset building (the Danish broadcasting house) in Copenhagen (today the Royal Danish Academy of Music). Vilhelm Lauritzen’s lamp design, VL38 and the pendant VL45 both designed for Radiohuset, started to appear in Louis Poulsen catalogues after World War 2 in the middle of the 1940s. VL38 in white/brass was relaunched in fall 2016. To accommodate contemporary advances in light technology and energy efficiency the fixtures have been fitted with LED. The black edition of the VL38 introduced fall 2017 has a stronger outline than the original white version, though maintaining the loved retro look and the soft, curvy expression of the original design. Vilhelm Lauritzen (1894–1984) is one of the most significant architects in the history of Denmark; he was the trail-blazing figurehead of Danish functionalism. A number of his buildings – Nørrebro Theatre (1931–32), Daells Varehus department store (1928–35), Radiohuset (1936-41) and the first airport built in Kastrup (1937–39) – represented the concentrated essence of contemporary life. Other significant buildings to stem from Lauritzen’s drawing board include Folkets Hus (1953–56) better known today as the Vega concert venue, the Shellhuset (1950–51) building and the Danish embassy in Washington (1958–60). In particular the Radiohuset building and the earliest version of Kastrup Airport – both listed today – are considered peerless monuments to modernism in the European genre of construction.

Creator:
Vilhelm Lauritzen (Designer)
Design:
VL38 Table LampVL38 Series
Dimensions:
Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)Width: 5.32 in (13.5 cm)Depth: 6.89 in (17.5 cm)
Style:
Scandinavian Modern (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Metal
Place of Origin:
Denmark
Period:
21st Century
Date of Manufacture:
2022
Production Type:
New & Custom(Current Production)
Estimated Production Time:
8-9 weeks
Condition:
Seller Location:
Tilburg, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5892231170382
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Shop All Vilhelm Lauritzen

Vilhelm Lauritzen

One of the most significant architects in Denmark’s history and a pioneer of Danish functionalism in Scandinavian, mid-century modern furniture, Vilhelm Lauritzen maintained a lifelong belief that design is an art for the people.

Born in the town of Slagelse in 1894, Lauritzen had an early interest in architecture and design. He graduated from the Sorø Akademi in 1912 and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1922. That year, Lauritzen founded the Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects studio.

Travel to Spain, Greece and throughout Central Europe influenced his architectural work. His first major project was in 1928, when he designed the Daell’s Department Store in Copenhagen. Subsequent notable design projects included the Nørrebro Theater in 1931, the Radiohuset building in 1936 and Copenhagen Airport’s first terminal in 1939, inspired by Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier.

Although architecture was among Lauritzen’s chief passions — he was also an avid lepidopterist — he was keenly interested in the furnishings of his projects, designing everything from chairs and settees to door handles and ashtrays. His influential creations include the iconic VL 38 “Radiohus” table and the VL 45 “Radiohus” pendant light — a powerful downward light that provides a gentle illumination through handblown, white opal glass. Both were designed for Danish furniture manufacturer Louis Poulsen in collaboration with Danish designer Finn Juhl. Vilhelm Lauritzen’s lamps and wall sconces, which have obliquely angled lamp heads, were likewise designed in partnership with Poulsen for the Radiohuset building in the 1930s.

Lauritzen remained active in his studio until 1969, overseeing numerous architecture projects in the 1950s, such as the Shellhuset building, Folkets Hus — known today as the VEGA concert hall — and the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC.

Lauritzen died in 1984. His legacy lives on with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects still operating in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, and his elegant lamps remain in production by Louis Poulsen.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Vilhelm Lauritzen lighting, seating, tables and more.