Danish designer and architect Poul Henningsen is renowned for his groundbreaking work in lighting design, particularly through the development of the PH series of lights, the artichoke pendant, and rare discontinued variants. A design journey that began almost 100 years ago alongside manufacturing company Louis Poulsen has realised iconic pieces of design that still look modern and contemporary today.
Henningsen’s interest in lighting design was driven by a desire to address the harsh glare produced by incandescent bulbs prevalent in his time. An early PH configuration earned him a gold medal for modern lighting at the Paris 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. This iconic design featured multiple layered shades strategically positioned to reflect and diffuse light, thereby minimizing glare and creating a soft, even illumination. The PH lamp’s innovative use of reflective surfaces and careful consideration of light distribution set it apart from traditional lighting fixtures of the era.
Building upon the success of the PH lamp, Henningsen continued to refine his designs, introducing variations such as the PH 3/2 pendant and the PH 5 pendant. Each iteration maintained his core principles of glare reduction and uniform light distribution while adapting to different spatial requirements and aesthetic preferences. The PH 5 for example is designed to hang above a dining table reflecting light downward, while the PH Snowball Pendant creates a more uniform room-filling light distribution.
The model codes for these pieces consist of PH for Poul
Henningsen, the first number refers to the diameter of the main shade with smaller shades following a 3:2:1 ratio unless indicated by a second number.
‘PH5’ ceiling light for Louis Poulsen. Sold for $744
In 1958, Henningsen unveiled one of his most iconic creations, the PH Artichoke. Originally designed for the Langelinie Pavilion restaurant in Copenhagen, the pendant light featured a distinctive arrangement of ‘leaves’ that not only diffused light beautifully, concealed the light source from every angle, but also served as a striking sculptural element. Popular in domestic and commercial settings, the PH Artichoke was originally designed with copper leaves that were later replaced by brushed steel and white painted metal versions.
Central to Henningsen’s design philosophy was his deep understanding of optics and how light interacts with different materials. He experimented extensively with various metals and finishes to achieve optimal light reflection and diffusion. There have been around a thousand variants to the PH lighting system since 1925.
Poul Henningsen’s influence extended beyond Denmark, earning him international acclaim and recognition. His designs continue to be celebrated for their timeless appeal and innovative use of materials. The PH series remains highly sought after with limited production models such as The House for the Day After Tomorrow pendant (1959) and Spiral Ceiling Light (1942) for the University of Århus fetching hundreds of thousands through auction.
By Rebecca Stormont, Modern Design Specialist
Top Image: Poul Henningsen PH Snowball pendant light for Louis Poulsen. Sold for $2,750
July 2024