Piero Fornasetti

(1913 to 1988)

Piero Fornasetti was a visionary Italian designer and architect, celebrated for his distinctive, imaginative style that defied classification. Though unaffiliated with any specific art movement, his influence on Italian and industrial design is undeniable.

From an early age, Fornasetti displayed remarkable creativity, crafting intricate landscapes and experimenting with colour and form. He briefly attended the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan but was expelled, something that didn’t hinder his self-driven education. Fascinated by printing and engraving, he collaborated with artists like Campigli, Savinio, and de Chirico, even inventing a silk-printing method that produced striking graphic effects.

Fornasetti was also passionate about typography and graphic design, creating posters, cards, and magazine covers. In the 1940s, he shifted towards furniture and interior design, working closely with renowned architect Gio Ponti. Their partnership introduced a fresh vision of elegant functionality, shaping everything from homes to ocean liners.

His most iconic work, Tema e Variazioni (“Theme and Variations”), features over 500 portraits of opera singer Lina Cavalieri, representing classical beauty reimagined through surreal and whimsical lenses.

Today, Fornasetti is revered as one of the giants of 20th century design, especially abroad, alongside names like Achille Castiglioni and Tommaso Barbi, with a legacy defined by wit, originality, and enduring artistic vision.