Finn Juhl (1912–1989) is widely regarded as one of the most significant designers and architects of the twentieth century, and among the few who established an international reputation at an early stage in his career.

In the early 1950s — at a moment when Scandinavian design was emerging onto the global stage — Finn Juhl had already assumed a leading role. He designed the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and, in 1951, was commissioned to conceive the annual Good Design exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. While this major international showcase of Scandinavian design brought together leading Danish designers, its overall spatial vision was conceived and orchestrated by Finn Juhl.

Three years later, this international presence extended to Milan. For the Tenth Triennale, Finn Juhl was invited to lead the design of the Danish Pavilion — establishing a lasting connection between his work and the city’s design culture that resonates to this day.

Throughout his career, Finn Juhl’s research was consistently centered on organic, sinuous forms. Working in a pre-digital era, he developed his projects through an exceptionally refined drawing practice. His designs were rendered through a sophisticated watercolor technique that conveyed, with remarkable sensitivity, the sculptural character and volumetric presence of his furniture.

The exhibition at settantaventidue, developed in collaboration with Designmuseum Danmark and House of Finn Juhl, presents a selection of Finn Juhl’s watercolors and drawings, with a particular focus on works created for major international exhibitions at MoMA and the Milan Triennale during the 1950s, offering insight into the origins of his vision.