Gerrit Rietveld's iconic Zwaan has been added to the Pastoe collection. One of his most elegant pieces of furniture, designed in 1958, at a time when Dutch design was gaining international appeal.
Rietveld designed the Zwaan armchair for the World Exhibition in Brussels. Later, the design was given a prominent place in the press room of the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Now this special armchair is being reissued by Pastoe, as a timeless statement within contemporary interiors.
Where Rietveld's work is characterised by clean geometry and a distinct De Stijl signature, the Zwaan shows a softer side. Flowing lines replace right angles and give the design a sculptural silhouette, in which functionality and aesthetics merge naturally.
An armchair as an architectural statement
It was Rietveld's conviction that a chair should be an architectural object in space. The Zwaan embodies that conviction. Its powerful silhouette defines the space around it, while the carefully shaped seat offers unexpected comfort.
Elegant and balanced, the Zwaan occupies a special place in Rietveld's oeuvre. With this reissue, Pastoe underlines how innovation and timeless design can be effortlessly balanced.
Meet Gerrit Rietveld
Gerrit Rietveld (Utrecht, 1888–1964) is considered one of the most influential and innovative Dutch architects and designers. Trained as a cabinetmaker in his father's workshop, he became a leading figure in De Stijl. His early furniture designs, executed in primary colours, translated the ideals of the movement in their purest form. In collaboration with Truus Schröder, he realised the iconic Rietveld Schröder House in 1924.
In addition to his architectural work, Rietveld gained international recognition as a furniture designer. Designs such as the Red-Blue Chair, the Berlin Chair and the Steltman Chair are among the milestones of modernism. As a pioneer in progressive thinking, his work continues to define the essence of timeless design, including within the Pastoe collection.
