Arne Jacobsen Furniture: Danish Modern Masterpieces. Arne Jacobsen (1902–1971) was a pioneering Danish architect and designer whose work helped define mid-century Scandinavian modernism. Trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Jacobsen embraced functionalism while creating objects of exceptional elegance and humanity. He famously designed entire environments, from buildings to furniture, lighting, textiles, and even cutlery  as complete works of art.