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Piero Fornasetti & Gio Ponti

 

Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) was an Italian artist and designer known for his surrealist imagery and Piranesi-like engravings through his work in furniture, fabric and objects.  This “designer of dreams” was recently celebrated in an exhibition that also marked the 100th anniversary of his birth.  

“He loved minimalism — the idea of the essence of the essential — but he did not find that at odds with decoration.”

Read more about “The World of Fornasetti” here.

Image: Wright

Piero Fornasetti, Musicale chair, Italy c. 1955 at Wright on March 27, 2014.

Image: Wright

Piero Fornasetti, Strumenti Musicali/Libri screen, Italy c. 1954 at Wright on March 27, 2014.

 

Gio Ponti (1891-1979) was one of the most influential architects and designers of the mid-20th century.  Read more about Ponti here.

In the late 1940’s, Ponti began to collaborate on furniture production with Piero Fornasetti.  Their collaboration and friendship endured until Ponti died in 1979.

Image: Wright

Gio Ponti, Pair of lounge chairs, Italy, 1936-1950 at Wright on March 27, 2014.

Image: Wright

Gio Ponti and Piero Fornasetti, Madrepore dining suite, Italy, 1950-1952 at Wright on March 27, 2014.