Global InformationPiero Fornasetti information
Piero Fornasetti | |
|---|---|
 Piero Fornasetti inside the Stanza Metafisica, one of his creations | |
| Born | 10 November 1913 Milan |
| Died | 15 October 1988 (aged 74) Milan |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation(s) | Designer, artist |
| Years active | 66 |
| Known for | Design |
| Notable work | Stanza metafisica, Tema e variazioni series |
Piero Fornasetti (Milan, 10 November 1913 – Milan, 15 October 1988) was an Italian artist and designer. Born in Milan into a middle-class family, Fornasetti's creative pursuits encompassed design, decoration, painting, curating, and printing. His oeuvre, spanning over 13,000 works, displayed a wide range of objects and furniture with a unique emphasis on decorative diversity. Collaborating with figures like Gio Ponti, Fornasetti's atelier became synonymous with bringing art into everyday lives through practical yet artistically adorned objects.
Fornasetti's artistic philosophy emphasized the production of series over one-of-a-kind pieces, reflecting his commitment to democratizing art. A central motif in his work was the "variations," notably exemplified in the iconic "Tema e Variazioni" series featuring over 400 renditions of opera singer Lina Cavalieri's face. His creative genius extended across different mediums, from furniture to paintings, demonstrating a coherent stylistic code.
Although Fornasetti faced challenges adapting to evolving design trends in the '60s and '70s, his legacy was eventually rediscovered and celebrated through exhibitions and publications. His fusion of classicism, surrealism, and metaphysical art, combined with his commitment to drawing as an innovative tool, cemented his influence on design and decoration. Piero Fornasetti's enduring impact continues through the work of his son Barnaba and admirers worldwide.