The most renowned Dutch architect and pioneer of De Stijl
Gerrit Rietveld (Utrecht, 1888–1964) is one of the most celebrated and innovative Dutch architects, furniture makers, and designers. Trained as a furniture maker by his father, he went on to become the defining architect of the De Stijl movement.
In 1919, Rietveld joined De Stijl and connected with artists such as Robert van ’t Hoff, Bart van der Leck, and Theo van Doesburg. His furniture designs from this period, executed in the characteristic primary colors red, yellow, and blue, are pure expressions of the ideals of De Stijl. In 1921, he met interior designer Truus Schröder-Schräder, for whom he designed the world-famous Schröder House in 1924, in close collaboration.
Alongside his renown as an architect, Rietveld also earned wide recognition as a furniture designer. Many of his works are included in the collections of the Centraal Museum in Utrecht and The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The Berlin Chair and the iconic Red and Blue Chair rank among his most celebrated designs. Equally renowned is the Steltman Chair, created in 1963 for Steltman Jewelers in The Hague, which has since become a true design classic.
As a pioneer of De Stijl, Gerrit Rietveld created visionary works that remain iconic to this day. His designs embody the essence of the Pastoe collection as a symbol of progressive and timeless design.
