People are much more aware of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Farnsworth and Phyllis Lamber than Perceptions of Mies' relationship with Lilly Rick. This is not surprising. Farnsworth was known as a client, an admirer, and a lawsuit; Phyllis Lambert was known as a client, a student, an assistant, and a supporter. As for Lilly Reich, although she collaborated with Mies on the Barcelona Chair, she was mostly overshadowed by Mies' aura.
Lily Reich, a German modernist designer, was born on June 16, 1885 and died in Berlin on December 14, 1947. A close business partner of Mies van der Rohe for more than ten years, she was the first woman to join the Deutsche Werkbund. In 1920, she was appointed to the board of directors of Deutsche Wilkesund, becoming the first woman to help lead the German Craftsmen's Guild. Her exhibition designs established her reputation in the German design community.
From 1926 to 1939, she began a close working relationship with fellow Wilkesund member Mies. In 1926, she moved from Frankfurt to Berlin to collaborate with Mies. Became Mies's personal and professional partner for 13 years from 1925 until 1938, when Mies immigrated to the United States. When Mies van der Rohe became director of the Bauhaus in 1930, Lilly Reich joined the Bauhaus as one of its few female teachers.
In 1929, Mies and Lily Reich designed the German Pavilion at the Barcelona World Expo. However, due to Mies's insistence on minimalist style, the German Pavilion in Barcelona showed the typical characteristics of less is more, flowing space, and comprehensive space. . Mies did not design furniture for the German Pavilion. But in order to give the King and Queen of Spain a place to rest when they cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, Mies designed the Barcelona Chair together with Lily Rikke. The design motivation of this chair comes from the "Curule chair" used by ancient Roman nobles. Therefore, the design of the Barcelona chair is mainly handmade. This chair has never been cheap.
The Barcelona chair became famous in one fell swoop, but few people know Lily Rick’s contribution. After World War II she taught in Kunst, but soon resigned due to illness, and she died in Berlin in 1947.
The Barcelona chair was patented in Germany, Spain, and the United States. The patent period was very short. From 1930 to 1950, the Barcelona chair was put into production in limited editions in the United States and Europe. Lily Ricke launched it in 1947. After his death, Mies authorized production to Knoll, a large American office furniture company, in 1953. It is a classic work of modern design.
Knoll Vice President of Design and Management Albert Pfeiffer pointed out that "it is worth noting that Mies did not successfully develop any contemporary furniture before or after working with Reich." This is equivalent to clearing the name of Lily Reich.