Inspired by Bauhaus master Marcel Breuer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was quick to recognise the advantages of tubular steel, a modern material for its time.

By combining this innovative material with the classic shapes of nineteenth-century iron rocking chairs, he created the MR chair in 1927. With its graceful curves and cantilevered frame, this chair has a bold silhouette that subtly flexes to accompany the movements of the seated person, offering exceptional comfort.

Originally, the MR chair was mainly produced with a chromed steel frame, an emblematic finish of the period. However, recent research into MoMA's archives has revealed that many of Mies van der Rohe's pieces, including the MR chair, were also produced with structures painted in a range of colours. This choice of colours reflected the artistic experimentation and multidisciplinary approach of the Bauhaus, where colour played a central role in the perception and emotional response of users.

In 2024, Knoll relaunched these coloured finishes with the ‘Nuovi Colori Bauhaus’ collection, paying homage to this spirit of innovation. This new colour palette broadens the tonal and textural materiality of interior spaces, offering a renewed perspective on these iconic pieces. Bauhaus students often used primary colours to explore perception, and this modernised palette continues this experimental tradition.

Current MR chair finishes:
- Chrome frame: The classic, timeless version, true to the original modernist aesthetic.
- Ultra-matt epoxy structure: Available in a number of contemporary Bauhaus-inspired colours, this finish gives the chair a modern, versatile look, while respecting the heritage of Bauhaus chromatic experimentation.

Key features:
- Cantilever structure: The design allows the chair to move slightly in response to the user's movements, improving seating comfort.
- Tubular steel frame: Available in polished chrome-plated steel or an ultra-matt epoxy finish, for a modern or industrial look according to preference.
- Seat: In hand-woven natural rattan or cowhide, highlighting the craftsmanship and quality of the materials.
- Authenticity: The chair is stamped with the Knoll logo and the signature of Mies van der Rohe, symbols of its original design.
- For the red and black frames, the screws are burnished and the floor glides are black; for the white frame, the screws are galvanised and the floor glides are white.

Whether with a chromed frame or a coloured epoxy finish, Mies van der Rohe's MR chair continues to embody the spirit of the Bauhaus while adapting to contemporary trends. The ‘Nuovi Colori Bauhaus’ collection celebrates this heritage by reintroducing colour into the design of these iconic pieces, inviting us to rediscover them in a new light.

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