Fornasetti - Tema e Variazioni Collection
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Piero Fornassetti - 1913-1988
Common features in his work include the use of the sun and time together with an almost exclusive use of black and white. He was heavily influenced by the classical architecture of Greece and Rome. Most interestingly, his work is most commonly seen in interior design and fashion ornamenting items such as china plates and tables, cushions, ties and scarves. His enduring influence is thanks to his son, Barnaba Fornasetti, who continues to design in his father's name.
I stumbled across Fornassetti during my search for new wallpaper. The face of the operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri immediatly transfixed me. I fell in love with it and am now a fan collecting pieces as an when my finances permit.
Upon meeting his designs in my kitchen every morning I immedialy am filled with the joy of living (no matter how gloomy the English weather)! Fornasetti is without doubt one of the greatest artist of the 20th Century. His art was prolific, whimsical, enigmatic, inspiring and authentic.
Fornasetti Facts
The Life & Times of a Great Artist
"I do not believe in eras or times. I do not. I refuse to establish the value of things based on time.
" Piero Fornasetti
- 1913 - Born in Milan, Italy
- 1930 Enters the Brera Art Academy, Milan
- 1932 Piero Fornasetti is expelled from the Brera Art Academy.
- 1933 Exhibits his work at a student exhibition and takes part in the Milan Triennale.
- 1942 Creates the frescos for Palazzo Bo, Padova.
- 1946 Emerges after three years' exile in Switzerland.
- 1943 Goes into exile in Switzerland.
- 1952 Took part in the interior decoration of the Andrea Doria ocean liner, designing the first class areas.
- 1955-1958 Created the Stanza Metafisica; thirty-two decorative panels that could be arranged into an interior environment.
- 1970 Sets up the Bibliofili Gallery with several friends.
- 1988 Piero Fornasetti dies during a routine hospital visit and Barnaba Fornasetti takes over the business.
- 1998 Christie's dedicates an auction sale to Fornasetti.
- 1980 Design store Themes and Variations opens in London, reviving interest in Fornasetti's work.
- 2003 A guest apartment in the historic Fornasetti home opens.
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2008 Decorates the VIP Club at the Maison & Objet in Paris.
© Copyright 2010© Copyright 2010
IMMAGINAZIONE SRL Via Bazzini, 14 - Milano PIVA/codice fiscale 09676180152
Who Is That Girl?
It was by chance that an artist, flicking through a French magazine, turned a page to be confonted by the classical features of a fellow artist, the soprano singer Lina Cavalieri. Struck by her beauty Fornasetti went on to produce over 500 designs of her likeness in black and white on everyday objects."For Piero Fornasetti, a single idea provided enough inspiration to create infinite variations. In fact, much of his work involved constant evolutions of specific themes. By allowing his imagination to roam freely. Fornasetti was able to constantly reinvent or reinterpret an image.
Of these themes, the most recurrent are; the sun, playing cards, harlequins, hands, self-portraits. But the most famous, the image that inspired Fornasetti to coin the title 'Tema e Variazioni', is the enigmatic face of a woman; the opera singer Lina Cavalieri.
Taking her as much as a muse and as a motif, he would return to Lina Cavalieri's face again and again throughout his career. The archetypal classic female features, and enigmatic expression of Lina Cavalieri became Fornasetti's most frequently used template and upon which he based more than 350 variations.
Lina Cavalieri's face, explained Piero Fornasetti, was another archetype - a quintessentially beautiful and classic image. It was this formal, graphic appeal (rather than Lina Cavalieri's celebrity) that demanded such loyalty and inspired the spontaneous and ceaseless creativity of Fornasetti. For him, this face became the ultimate enduring motif."Click here to view a selection of Tema e Variazioni plates
The Lady & Her Waist
People were known to gasp when they saw the waist of Lina Cavalieri. For more on tightlacers and corseted beaties see:
Staylace.com
More Pictures of the Beautiful Lina Cavalieri
Beautiful But Dangerious
Two clips from the movie featuring Gina Lolabrigida as Lina Cavalieri
The Fornasetti Collection for Homes
From Fornasetti Interiors - USA
Palazzetti carries the full collection of the original Tema e Variazioni Plates. The Fornasetti plates are originals made by Fornasetti Milano, Italy (not Rosenthal reproductions).
Delivery takes 4-6 weeks.
Palazzetti.com
Tema e Variazioni Wallpaper
This is a wonderful way to bring the Tema e Variazioni collection into your home (I have this design as a featured wall in my kitchen). It is joyous and inspiring and always puts a smile on my face in the morning.
Produced by Cole & Son the wallpaper is available on line at:
Wallpaperdirect.co.uk
Housetohome.co.uk
Tangletree-Interiors.co.uk
Give Fornasetti Some Love
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Teacups, Teapots & Ties
A selection of beautiful collectables at CoutureLab
The key mission of CoutureLab is to "maintain the value of human craftsmanship and keep creative individuality alive".
CoutureLab is an online retailer and gallery in London which promotes the vision of its founder Carmen E. Basquets B. that human craft and creativity is true luxury."
The CoutureLab celebrates global cultures and lifestyles. Each piece selected is "embraced for its history, heritage or the limited distribution and production of the brand or designer".
A limited edition selection of porcelain and silk items are available for Couturelab.com>
My Favourite Fornasetti Item
Ambient Wall Art Animations by Detour Design - Over 500 images used for Blu-Ray DVD
I thought this concept was very cool. Instead of a fake fireplace screensaver on your TV the next time you have a cocktail party, perhaps this is a more modern and conversational piece to display for guests.
This is the first limited edition collection of animated interpretations of Theme & Variations the iconic work of Italian designer Piero Fornasetti, created by Detour Design. Many of the over 500 Fornasetti images of the enigmatic woman's face are used in these animations. Each Blu-Ray in this edition of 3,000 is accompanied by a hand-numbered, engraved card, and contain 7 tracks of purely visual, decorative art for the contemporary canvas of the flat screen.
Available from
FornasettiDVD.com
Fornasetti Ambient Wall Art
An example of the Beautiful Detour Designs Animations
Fornasetti Magazine Rack
Pavillion Antiques - $1,900
Fornasetti at Liberty, London
Full Moons / Waning Moon Cushion, Fornasetti - £85.00
This authentic Fornasetti piece is made in Italy by Luciano Marcato.
Cover 100% Cotton
Filling Synthetic
Size 40cm X 40cm
Care Dry clean only
Liberty.co.uk
BBC Documentary on Fornasetti
(Vase Image from www.Designfolio.co.nz)
Fornasetti BBC Documentary from Fornasetti on Vimeo.
A Selection of Popular Books on Piero Fornasetti
A Fornasetti Inspired Armchair
Modern Classics Fornasetti Armchair
Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price:
Where To Shop For Fornasetti
Milan, London & Beyond
SHOW-ROOM FORNASETTI
Via Manzoni, 45 - Milano 20121
Tel:+39 02 6592341 - Fax: +39 02 6592244
E-Mail: showroom@fornasetti.com
Fornasetti.com
ADDITIONAL BOUTIQUES, GALLERIES AND RETAILERS SPECIALISING IN FORNASETTI
- 1Milk Concept Boutique - London, England, UK -+44 (0) 20 7729 9880
- 2Couture Lab London, England, UK - +44 (0)20 7499 7082
- 3Liberty London London, England, UK - +44 (0) 20 7573 9645
- 4Palazzetti Greenville, DE, USA, + 631 722 3733
Fornasetti.com
First Stop for Fornasetti Fans
"Dear contemporaries, don't you realise how different we are? Although I depict you as equals and like the ancients you never change."
Piero Fornasetti
"Piero Fornasetti was a Milanese painter, sculptor, interior decorator, engraver of books and a creator of more than 11,000 products. In terms of variety of decoration, Fornasetti's production of objects and furniture is one of the largest of the 20th century.
Fornasetti is celebrated as being among the most original creative talents of the twentieth century. During his career he created a visual vocabulary that is instantly recognisable and unceasingly engaging. Fornasetti designed a magical world, saturated in image and colour and filled with whimsy and wit."
Fornassetti.com
Inspired??
I'd love to know if you also love the Fornasetti aesthetic
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uticketit
Nov 15, 2011 @ 11:00 pm | delete
- I like your article, very useful and inspiring. thank you.
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jptanabe
Aug 10, 2011 @ 2:33 pm | delete
- Yes, Fornasetti is very creative and cool! Blessed by a SquidAngel on the Back to School Bus Trip.
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