Gerrit Reitveld designed this chair in 1918. About forty years after he designed the chair, it was actually built by another person, Gerard Van de Groenekan. Rietveld was interested in how a chair is put together. The parts of the Red-Blue Chair are like building blocks. Each piece is a geometric shape. What shapes can you find? Look closely to see how the pieces were put together.

Although the chair is called Red-Blue Chair, some parts of it are red or blue, and others are black and yellow. Rietveld used the same colors in the playful and fun furniture he designed for children. Does this look like any chair you have seen before? How does it compare to chairs you have at home or school?

Rietveld's designs are part of a style of art called de Stijl, which means "the style." Rietveld and other Dutch architects, artists, designers, and writers wanted to create a unified style of art that could be used to make paintings, sculptures, furniture, and other forms of art. De Stijl artists made designs that focus on straight lines, right angles, and the primary colors red, blue, and yellow. They were also interested in designs that clearly show how the actual object was put together. 

You can see the Red-Blue Chair beginning January 13, 2008, when you visit the newly reopened modern art galleries on the plaza level of the Ahmanson Building at LACMA.

Search Collections Online for another piece of furniture design by Rietveld.

Gerard Van de Groenekan (1904–1994), Gerrit Rietveld (Holland, 1888–1964)
Red-Blue Chair, 1918 prototype, manufactured circa 1950
Painted wood, 23 5/8 x 33 1/16 x 33 1/16 in. (60 x 83.97 x 83.97 cm)
Purchased with funds provided by Merle Oberon, M.86.258
Photo © 2007 Museum Associates/LACMA