MILAN fornasetti

As a longtime fan of Fornasetti’s work, I could not visit Milan without a visit to Fornasetti HQ and Showroom on Courso Venezia.

Bold, whimsical and distinctive – Fornasetti’s work has held appeal since the 1980’s and in 2013 an Exhibit titled “100 Years of Practical Madness” was held at the Milan Triennale Design Museum (I also visited Triennale on this trip) in honour of Piero Fornasetti’s birth 100 years earlier, with more than 1,000 archive pieces on display.

Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) an Italian painter, sculptor, interior decorator, designer and engraver.  He lived most of his life in Milan, having attended the Brera Art Academy.  He created more than 11,000 items in his lifetime – many featuring the face of a woman Fornasetti found the image in a 19th century magazine.  It is the face of operatic soprano Lina Cavelieri and the plate series (you see above), consists of over 350 themes and variations (Tema e Variazioni).

Wallpaper designed by Fornasetti for English Wallpaper Company Cole and Son – Nuvolette (above)

Known for often incorporating black and white, the sun, astronomy and time into much of his work.  He was also influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, often seeing buildings and architectural details, such as pillars, in his designs.

A small section of the store dedicated to vintage items by Fornasetti.

Barnaba Fornasetti, Piero’s son, who is also an artist and attended the Brera Art Academy, worked with his father during the success of Themes and Variations Exhibit in London, England.  Victoria and Albert Museum London hosted an international exhibit with works including fashion, furniture, paintings, lamps, silk scarves and chairs in 1992.

Having a 50 year collection of his father’s works, Barnaba Fornasetti is a champion of his father’s legacy and continues to build and grow the Fornasetti name and brand, making it his own for the past 30 years.

The glass staircase with a crazy snake motif running up – seen from above, but also seen from below.

Window display – of a tray and tea set and Cole and Son Wallpaper Frutto Proibito.

Fornasetti Showroom and HQ in Milan.

Courso Venezia 21, Milan  fornasetti.com