Verner Panton (Danish, 1926–1998) was an influential furniture and interior designer. Born on the island of Funen in Denmark, Panton studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. After graduating in 1951, he served as an apprentice to pioneering Functionalist designer Arne Jacobsen, assisting him in the execution of the iconic Ant Chair. Although influenced by Jacobsen’s organic style, Panton initially established himself as an avant-garde designer, creating furniture based on elaborate geometric shapes, using strong colors.