Art Directory - the information medium for art and culture
deutsch

Carlo Mollino

Turin 1905 - Turin 1973


The exuberantly versatile and flamboyantly prolific Italian artist Carlo Mollino - designer, architect, rally driver, stunt flier, photographer, fashion designer, stage designer, and man of letters - was born in Turin in 1905. Carlo Mollino studied mechanical engineering and art history, followed by architecture at Turin University before working in the architectural practice of his father, Eugenio Mollino. In 1933 Carlo Mollino submitted a design to a competition for the Agricultural Federation headquarters in Cuneo and won first prize for it.
In 1937 Carlo Mollino built the Società Ippica (the Turin Equestrian Association) headquarters. Carlo Mollino also did a great deal of interior decoration in both private houes and public buildings. Carlo Mollino's designs have nothingin common with those by his contemporaries in Milan and the rationalism that reigned supreme there. Carlo Mollino's furniture is often distinguished by biomorphic forms; his highly expressive take on design was influenced by both Futurism and Surrealism. A typical feature of chairs designed by Carlo Mollino is a split back.
In 1940 Carlo Mollino designed a chair of this kind for Lisa and Gio Ponti with a polished brass frame; both the back and the seat are split down the middle and covered in white elastic resin. In 1951 Carlo Mollino designed the interior and seating of the RAI auditorium in Turin, for which he created a voluminous armchair with a low-slung seat. This interior is regarded as one of Carlo Mollino's best works.
Carlo Mollino developed and patented a process for cold molding plywood. In 1952 Carlo Mollino designed an armchair for the Casa del Sole in Cervinia, with legs and armrests made of continuous wood battens that have been bent in several places. In 1953 Carlo Mollino came up with a marvellous chair made entirely of molded wood for Casa Catlaneo in Agra.
Carlo Mollino's furniture was often one-off or produced in very limited editions by Apelli & Varesio of Turin. A table designed by Carlo Mollino in 1949 was sold at auction by Christie's in 2005 for a staggering $3.8 million.


Gabriele Münter - Elmau
Gabriele Münter
Elmau
133,200 $
Details
Emil Nolde - Sonnenblumen mit Pfingstrosen
Emil Nolde
Sonnenblumen mit Pfingstrosen
66,600 $
Details
Otto Dix - Hohlweg im Winter
Otto Dix
Hohlweg im Winter
66,600 $
Details
Hans (Jean) Arp - Torso
Hans (Jean) Arp
Torso
44,400 $
Details
Felix Nussbaum - Stillleben mit Zwiebelpflanze
Felix Nussbaum
Stillleben mit Zwiebelpflanze
39,960 $
Details
Hans Purrmann - Landschaft bei Galluzzo
Hans Purrmann
Landschaft bei Galluzzo
29,970 $
Details
Franz Radziwill - Frau mit weißem Umhang
Franz Radziwill
Frau mit weißem Umhang
33,300 $
Details
Hans Purrmann - Liegender Akt
Hans Purrmann
Liegender Akt
19,980 $
Details

Advertisement
Auction Spotter Logo
The most important art auctions from all over the world at a glance!

Discover it for free
Advertisement
Fine Art Auction
show
&
bid!
view

Max Beckmann
Max Beckmann
Starting bid: 4,500 EUR

Privacy Policy Contact