Chaise Longue "Rio" by Oscar Niemeyer, Brazil, 1978

Rio chaise longue, a masterwork designed by Oscar Niemeyer and his daughter Anna Maria in 1978. Manufactured by Tendo Brasileira between 1979 and 1982, this exclusive piece was produced in limited quantities, with fewer than 50 units in its first edition. Its design features three graceful curves crafted from black lacquered molded plywood, elegantly assembled onto a solid wood frame adorned with natural canning. Later editions, produced by Teperman Móveis and Etel, continued to celebrate the iconic design with subtle enhancements, maintaining its status as a worldwide success.

The restoration of this particular chair, originally owned by André Midani, a luminary of the Brazilian music industry, began with the reshaping and reassembly of its base using a specially crafted wooden mold. The disassembled base underwent structural corrections to ensure stability and precision. Following these adjustments, the surface was primed and sanded in three stages, preparing it for repainting. The application of three layers of acrylic matte paint, interspersed with careful polishing, restored the lounge to its original splendor, while maintaining its historical integrity.

Oscar Niemeyer, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1907, was a pioneering modernist architect known for his innovative use of curves. After graduating from the School of Fine Arts in 1934, he worked with Lucio Costa and Le Corbusier on the Capanema building project, shaping his design philosophy. Niemeyer gained international acclaim in the 1940s with projects like the Pampulha complex and later contributed to the design of Brasília, Brazil's new capital. Exiled to France after the 1964 military coup, he continued to create significant works such as the Communist Party headquarters and the Maison de la Culture du Havre.