CHARLES & RAY EAMES, walnut folding screen

Charles Eames began his career as an architect and studied at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Ray Eames pursued painting at the Bennett School for Girls in Millbrook, New York, and worked as an artist, specializing in textiles and exhibitions. They met in the 1940s while collaborating on a project for the 'Organic Design in Home Furnishings' competition organized by MoMA in New York. Charles and Ray Eames married in 1941 and moved to Los Angeles, where they began collaborating on various design projects, with a focus on furniture design and experimentation with materials like plywood and fiberglass-reinforced plastic. During World War II, their successful plywood molding techniques were repurposed for the mass production of leg and arm splints, body stretchers and pilot seats for the U.S. Navy. After the war, they shifted their focus to creating chairs and sculptures that are now considered milestones in 20th-century design. In 1946, they showcased their experimental furniture designs at MoMA, leading to a production partnership with the Herman Miller Company in Michigan.

In 1957, Will Fehlbaum, the founder of Vitra, discovered an Eames chair during a trip to New York. Captivated by the innovative design, he contacted Charles and Ray, resulting in Vitra manufacturing Eames products in Europe. Their professional relationship blossomed into a close friendship, leaving a lasting impact on Vitra. The Eameses' diverse projects, including furniture, buildings, window displays, retail spaces, films, books and exhibitions, left an indelible mark on the design world. In 1949, they built the Eames House, also known as Case Study House No. 8, as their private residence and studio, which remains a landmark of midcentury modern architecture. After more than four decades of creative work, Charles Eames passed away in 1978, followed by Ray exactly ten years later. Their achievements were widely recognized during their lifetimes, with numerous awards and honors and their legacy continues to be celebrated for its lasting influence on design.