Breuer

Breuer is a surname of Germanic origin that appears in various countries and contexts. It is associated with several individuals and, less commonly, with places or institutions named after bearers of the name. The best known bearer is Marcel Breuer (1902–1981), a Hungarian-born architect and designer who studied at the Bauhaus and became a leading figure in modernist design.

Breuer’s work spans architecture and furniture design. He helped popularize tubular steel furniture with pieces such as the Wassily Chair (Model B3, 1925) and the Cesca chair (1928), which became iconic examples of early 20th-century modernism. As an architect, he designed numerous buildings worldwide and is credited with advancing a functional, material-forward approach to modernist architecture. Among his notable projects is the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, completed in 1966, which exemplifies his use of bold forms, simple volumes, and industrial materials. Breuer’s career reflected the Bauhaus emphasis on integrating art, craft, and industrial technique, and his influence extends through mid- to late-20th-century architecture and furniture design.