RUHLMANN TUB CHAIR

Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann (1879-1933)was born in Paris to Alsatian parents that owned a painting and contracting firm. Ruhlmann spent most of his youth learning his father’s trade during which time he contacted several young architects and designers. These contacts would be Ruhlmann’s first look into the world of furniture. In 1907 upon his father’s death, Ruhlmann took over the family business. Around 1910, a newly married Ruhlmann had his first experience designing furniture for their new apartment. This was also the first year in which he exhibited his furniture publicly. In 1919 he founded a separate interior design company with Pierre Laurent; the company designed everything from wallpaper to rugs, light fixtures, and furniture. His early designs reflected the Art Nouveau influence popular in France at the turn of the century. Later his influences could be traced to architects and designers creating innovative furniture in Vienna around the time of the First World War.