Giordano Chiesa, Milan Thence by descent to the present owner
Literature
'Accanto alla architettura', Domus, no. 312, November 1955, illustrated p. 19
Catalogue Essay
The painting in the present lot was exhibited in Gio Ponti's exhibition 'Accanto alla architettura' at the Galleria del Sole, Milan, in 1955. An image of the exhibition featuring this painting is published with Lot 14, 'Angelo'.
Among the most prolific talents to grace twentieth-century design, Gio Ponti defied categorization. Though trained as an architect, he made major contributions to the decorative arts, designing in such disparate materials as ceramics, glass, wood and metal. A gale force of interdisciplinary creativity, Ponti embraced new materials like plastic and aluminum but employed traditional materials such as marble and wood in original, unconventional ways.
In the industrial realm, he designed buildings, cars, machinery and appliances — notably, the La Cornuta espresso machine for La Pavoni — and founded the ADI (Industrial Designer Association). Among the most special works by Gio Ponti are those that he made in collaboration with master craftsmen such as the cabinetmaker Giordano Chiesa, the illustrator Piero Fornasetti and the enamellist Paolo de Poli.
circa 1955 Oil on canvas laid on board. 39.8 x 49.5 x 0.4 cm (15 5/8 x 19 1/2 x 0 1/8 in.) Together with a certificate of expertise from the Gio Ponti Archives.
