For those in the know, French-born American industrial designer Raymond Loewy is the “father of streamlining.” He is widely recognized as a pioneer of industrial design consulting — a creative powerhouse who took aim at cluttered designs and simplified them. Loewy left his mark on everything from toothbrushes to trashcans to spacecraft interiors. He designed cars, worked in illustration, and crafted comely dressers and other furniture.
Loewy was born in Paris, France. At age 15, he designed a model airplane that was powered by rubber bands. It won the James Gordon Bennett Cup of 1908. Loewy patented the model kit for this plane by the following year and saw brisk sales. With his savings, Loewy was able to study at the University of Paris and then at Ecole de Lanneau, where he earned an engineering degree in 1918.
Loewy moved to New York City in 1919 and found work as a window designer for the department stores Macy's, Wanamaker's and Saks and as a fashion illustrator for Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Loewy’s big break in industrial design came in 1929 when he altered the Gestetner duplicating machine — removing jutting parts and encasing the moving works in an understated cover. It caused a sensation within the industry — and companies began to call on him.
Loewy designed packaging for Coca-Cola and revised the look of Lucky cigarettes. The “Loewy Look,” which referred to the designer’s efforts to strip a product of any unnecessary detail and streamline its appearance, began to characterize hundreds of products.
Loewy found clients in a dizzying number of companies. He did everything from retooling logos to redesigning products. His 1934 Sears Coldspot refrigerator was a sleek innovation that broke sales records. His Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive resembled a speeding bullet and was the darling of the 1939 World’s Fair. Loewy even reworked shapes for snacks at Nabisco. By the time World War II gathered steam, Raymond Loewy Associates — the industrial design firm he founded — had been operating in a number of American cities. When Time magazine featured him on the cover in October 1949 — Loewy was not shy about publicity — his profile soared.
Loewy worked with Studebaker for decades. The success of their 1953 Starliner coupe was due to his revolutionary design, while their 1963 futuristic, fiberglass-bodied Avanti, which came with advanced safety features and materialized at a time when the company was experiencing financial hardship, was his crowning achievement for the maker.
Returning to his roots in aviation, Loewy worked for NASA from 1967 to 1973 on the interior design of the Skylab space station. He was also involved in the interior designs of the Concorde supersonic jet and Air Force One. Loewy delighted in creating furniture and collaborated with manufacturers such as Mengel Furniture, Rosenthal and Doubinsky Frères. In the 1970s, Loewy and his wife shuttered their businesses and retired in France.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Raymond Loewy cabinets, serveware, seating and more.
Drawing "box" for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Drawing "box" for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith Space station Habitability study On tracing paper Circa 1969 30x22 490€
Paper
Helmeted man 2" drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Helmeted man 2" drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith Apollo orbital workshop - Habitability study India ink on cardboard Signed and dated Raymond Loewy's initials 1...
Paper
"Helmeted man 4" drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Helmeted man 4" drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith Space Station - Habitability study On cardboard 16 February 1969 42,5x35 990€
Paper
Dessin « helmeted man 3 » pour la NASA - Raymond Loewy et William Snaith
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Helmeted man 3" drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith Apollo orbital workshop - Habitability study India ink on cardboard Signed and dated Raymond Loewy's initials 1...
Paper
Drawing « helmeted man 1 » for the NASA - Raymond Loewy et William Snaith
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Helmeted man 1" drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith Space station - Habitability study On paper 16 February 1969 42x35 490€
Paper
$7,858
H 9.26 in W 6.89 in D 1.19 in
Costume drawings for ‘Ambassadeur de Siam’ and ‘La Sultana Reine’
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Joseph-Marie Vien (1716-1809) ‘Ambassadeur de Siam’ and ‘La Sultana Reine’ Both titled lower centre, the drawing of the ambassador inscribed with colours intended for the prints, e...
Paper, Pencil
$683
H 10.63 in W 7.68 in D 0.04 in
Figurative Ink Painting N.2 'Vessels II' by Dmitry Samygin
By Dmitry Samygin
Located in Paris, FR
Figurative Ink on Cotton paper Painting N.1 'Vessels II' by Dmitry Samygin H.27 x 19.5 cm About Dmitry Samygin Furniture and Product Designer. His approach relies on simple forms and clarity in ideas with carefully chosen materials to expose the essence of an object. His products exemplify humanistic design, comfort in everyday use and ergonomic function. He is a prize-winner in international competitions. He has taken part in exhibitions in Paris, Milan and Moscow, collaborates with European and Russian production, architectural and design companies. Since 2021 Dmitriy's design has been presented in a permanent exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Moscow. Dmitry's graphics and designs are in private collections all over the world. Samygin's Awards 2023 I+D / Design Now / winner (product design & decor) 2021 Red dot / Modul 2021 I+D magazine award / Shelter (covers for the sculptures of Moscow State Architectural Museum) 2020 Best 2020 AD Russia 2019 Andrew World...
Cotton, Paper, Ink
Stone Statue, Madura, India, 1914
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stone statue in the temple at Madura, India, 1914 Signed with initials top right Pencil on paper, 21.2 x 16.7 cm Literature: Ernst Braches en J.F. Heijbroek, W.O.J. Nieuwenkamp,B...
Paper, Pencil
$21,866
H 11.42 in W 12.21 in D 1.19 in
Portrait of artist Ida Bagoes Ketut Diding, Bali, 1937
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Ida Bagoes Ketut Diding, Artist on bali 1937 Signed with initials, dated and titled, bottom centre Black chalk on paper, 29 x 31 cm Literature: Ernst Braches en J.F. Heijbroek, W....
Paper, Graphite
$21,866
H 17.92 in W 20.87 in D 1.19 in
Part of the ring-wall of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1914
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Part of the ring-wall of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1914 Signed with initials and dated bottom right Black chalk on paper, 45.5 x 53 cm Literature: Ernst Braches en J.F. Heijbro...
Paper, Chalk
Crying Woman / Fertility Figure
By Nancy Spero
Located in New York, NY
Unique work made from handprinting and printed collage on paper. Signed and dated "Spero 89" lower right recto.
Printer's Ink, Mixed Media, Handmade Paper, Pencil, Monoprint
$30,749
H 16.93 in W 23.43 in D 1.19 in
Devotion in the Dessert near the pyramids of Gizeh, circa 1919
By Marius Bauer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Marius Bauer (1867-1932) ‘Devotie in de Woestijn’ (Devotion in the Dessert near the pyramids of Gizeh, circa 1919) Signed lower right and titled lower left Watercolour on paper, H...
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Pencil
$2,850
H 11.7 in W 8.27 in D 0.04 in
Foundational Studies 25(E) Earthly Palettes & Visceral Tones
By Rebecca Wing Sze Lam
Located in STRETTON, AU
Foundational Studies 25(E) The Composition A refined entry point into the studio’s practice, Foundational Studies 25(E) is a deliberate exploration of form and verse. Executed on ha...
Paint, Ink, Archival Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen, Pencil, Carbon P...
Portrait of Charles Mauras - Action Française chief
Located in BELEYMAS, FR
French School, early 20th century Portrait of Charles Maurras (1868–1952) Charcoal H. 37.5 cm; W. 27 cm Signed and dated lower left (19)09 It would serve little purpose to attempt, ...
Paper, Charcoal
$2,850
H 11.7 in W 8.27 in D 0.04 in
Foundational Study No. 25 (G) The Geometry of Grace
By Rebecca Wing Sze Lam
Located in STRETTON, AU
Foundational Studies 25(G) The Composition A poignant progression within the series, Foundational Studies 25(G) shifts the focus toward the nuances of gesture and weight. Executed ...
Archival Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Color Pencil
$17,083
H 13.39 in W 8.27 in
Le Menuet Drawing, Red Chalk on Laid Paper, Circa 1765-1770, Unsigned
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Attributed to Gabriel-Jacques de Saint-Aubin (Paris, 1724 – 1780) Le Menuet, circa 1765–1770 Red chalk on paper 13 3/8 x 8 1/4 in (34 x 21 cm) Verso: black chalk and red chalk Unsi...
Chalk, Laid Paper
$797
H 8.98 in W 13.51 in
Mountainous Riverlandscape with resting Wanderers, German, Aquatint, old master
Located in Greven, DE
German or Swiss School, probably Circle of Christoph Nathe (1753-1808)), around 1800; beautiful old master drawing/ aquatint, inscribed "P 50/ 1871 gekauf...
Handmade Paper
$2,850
H 25.2 in W 18.12 in D 1.58 in
Foundational Study No. 24(C) Raw Archival Paper Museum Glazed
By Rebecca Wing Sze Lam
Located in STRETTON, AU
Foundational Study No. 24(C) is a definitive structural exploration within the Rebecca Wing Sze Lam Atelier. As the architectural anchor of the F.S. 24 sequence, this study distills...
Gesso, Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Pen, Carbon Pencil, Color Pe...
$47,833
H 9.77 in W 13.63 in D 0.79 in
Portrait of a Slave Ship: 'Le Negrito à l’ancre. Dans le port de la havanne'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
FRANÇOIS MATHURIN ADALBERT, BARON DE COURCY (1805-1839) 'Le Negrito à l’ancre. Dans le port de la havanne' Indistinctly signed lower left Titled on the mount Pencil and watercolour, heightened with white, on paper, 24.8 x 34.6 cm Literature: The present watercolour will be illustrated in: - Prof. Manuel Garcia’s projected book on the disease and the slave trade provisionally titled “Fighting the Yellow Demon of Fever: The Struggle against Disease in the Illegal Slave Trade”. - Prof. Micael Zeuske’s forthcoming Global history of slave trade. Exhibited: Mexico City, 1998, Palacio Virreinal, El Barón de Courcy, illustrationes de un viaje, 1831-1833, no. 108 Note: Baron de Courcy was in the Caribbean in late 1832 and early 1833, following his tour of Mexico in 1832, on the last leg of his “Grand Voyage...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Pencil
$4,555
H 8 in W 12.8 in
Jacob de Wit (1695–1754), Allegory of Victory with Putti, Pediment Design
By Jacob De Wit
Located in Greven, DE
Jacob de Wit (Amsterdam 1695–1754) – Allegory of Victory with Two Putti and Trophies of War, Design for a Pediment This lively design by Jacob de Wit, th...
Paper, Chalk, Ink
Sold
H 12.21 in W 16.54 in D 0.4 in
Oral valve for inflation - drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Drawing "Oral valve for inflation" for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith India ink on cardboard Signed and dated with Raymond Loewy's initials 1968 41,5x31 990€
Paper
Sold
H 16.54 in W 13.78 in D 0.4 in
Drawing « two helmeted men » for the NASA - Raymond Loewy et William Snaith
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
"two helmeted men" drawing for NASA - Raymond Loewy and William Snaith Space station - Habitability study On paper 16 February 1969 42,5 x35 490€
Paper