design bernadotte eng

Design Bernadotte
In English
The exhibition “Design Bernadotte” aims to describe the creative side of the Bernadotte family.
Since the 1800’s the Royal family has produced one artistically talented member after another.
The painter Prince Eugen and Sigvard are the most famous. The latest addition is the current Prince
Carl Philip. We have chosen to present a selection of Sigvard Bernadotte’s designs in crafts and
industrial design, and show how the legacy is passed on to Prince Carl Philip. A shared interest in the
simple form unites them.
Sigvard was born on June 7, 1907. He was the second child of
Crown Prince Gustav Adolf, who later became King Gustav VI
Adolf, and English-born Princess Margaret. Sigvard’s oldest
brother was also named Gustav Adolf, father of Sweden’s current King, Carl XVI Gustaf. Sigvard had three other siblings,
Ingrid, Bertil and Carl-Johan. He later lost his Prince title when
he married a German woman of the people.
Sigvard was the first in his family who achieved an academic degree, in the subjects of art history,
English and political science. He was, like his mother, artistically gifted. In 1930 he began studying at an
art school in Stockholm. He was early influenced by functionalism, which was completely new and
different. For 50 years he worked as a silver designer for Georg Jensen and he modernized their designs.
Sigvard became a leading designer and an internationally renowned industrial designer. He founded
Scandinavia's first independent Industrial Office and served as an inspiration and mentor to a large
number of designers. He was interested in designing functional everyday products, in particular kitchen
utensils. Plastic was one of the materials he used and developed. Several of his products have become
design classics and can be found in many Swedish homes. He also designed logos for companies,
including the one for the Swedish Marabou chocolate manufacturer.
Sigvard has designed a wide range of products, such as glasses, kettles, tableware and office equipment.
Examples of these and more are included in the exhibition. Several products are still produced and his
famous maze pattern “virrvarr” now appears on everything from carpets to egg cups.
On February 4, 2002 Sigvard died and left behind his wife, Marianne, whom he was married to for over
40 years.
The exhibition is produced by: