Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
Alessandro Mendini, Glazed Ceramic Totem, Italy, circa 1980s
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Totem designed by Alessandro Mendini (1931–2019), crafted in ceramic with a vibrant high-gloss glaze. The piece is composed of four independent sections, making it fully detachable a...
Porcelain
$348
Large Abstract Ceramic Tray Designed for Supreme 5.9 inches by 7.1 inches
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Draper, UT
As part of its 2016 spring/summer accessories collection, Supreme has teamed up with Italian designer and architect Alessandro Mendini of the Atelier Mendini Milano design studio for a couple of decorative trays. The platters feature graphics custom-made for the downtown streetwear giant by the Italian designer, whose illustrious back catalog includes the golden tower...
Ceramic
Small Abstract Ceramic Tray Designed for Supreme
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Draper, UT
As part of its 2016 spring/summer accessories collection, Supreme has teamed up with Italian designer and architect Alessandro Mendini of the Atelier Mendini Milano design studio for a couple of decorative trays. The platters feature graphics custom-made for the downtown streetwear giant by the Italian designer, whose illustrious back catalog includes the golden tower...
Ceramic
$4,621
Ceramic Totem Sculpture Designed by Alessandro Mendini, Italy, Limited Edition
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Elegant totem sculpture designed by Alessandro Mendini (Italian, 1931–2019), crafted in glazed ceramic. This collectible piece is signed and numbered 23/50 on the base, forming part ...
Porcelain
Silver Black Totem Designed by Alessandro Mendini. Italy
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Totem designed by Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019), crafted in ceramic with a high-gloss glaze. This unique piece is composed of four independent sections, allowing it to be fully deta...
Porcelain
Alessandro Mendini, Glazed Ceramic Totem, Italy, circa 1980s
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Totem designed by Alessandro Mendini (1931–2019), crafted in ceramic with a vibrant high-gloss glaze. The piece is composed of four independent sections, making it fully detachable a...
Porcelain
$1,296
H 1.97 in W 13.78 in D 1.97 in
1980 Italy Post-Modern Abstract Kinetic Sculpture Les Simonnet Polimorphes
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging and kinetic artwork was created by the French artist Jean Marie and Marthe Simonnet Title "Polimorphes" translated in "Polymorphic". This artwork is Kinetic and can c...
Plastic
$47,060
H 10.63 in W 5.91 in D 9.45 in
Owl, Picasso, 1960's, ceramic, clay, vase, design, animal, madoura, vallauris
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Geneva, CH
Chouette 1969 Ed. 127/250 pcs Earth of white faience, decoration with engobe engraved with the mirette under partial cover with the brush H. 27 cm Numbered and stamped underside : Ma...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware
$13,445
H 1.19 in Dm 9.45 in
Scène de Tauromachie, Pablo Picasso, 1957, Plate, Ceramic, Design, Postwar, Toro
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Geneva, CH
Scène de Tauromachie, Pablo Picasso, 1957, Plate, Ceramic, Design, Postwar, Toro Scène de tauromachie Ed. 500 pcs 1957 Red earthenware clay, engobe decoration, knife engraved D.24 c...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware
“Expecting”
Located in Southampton, NY
Original terracotta sculpture by the American sculptor William Huppert. Titled “Expecting”. Circa 1960. Post Modern. Overall height 18 inches including base. Base is 6 wide by 5.25 ...
Terracotta
$2,200
H 6.5 in W 6.5 in D 5 in
White Terracotta Modernist Abstract Sculpture Head Russian Artist Alexander Ney
By Alexander Ney
Located in Surfside, FL
Alexander Ney (Russian-American, 1939-2023) Terra cotta sculpture Signed on the underside Dimensions: Approximately 6-1/2 inches high x 6-1/2 inches wide x 5 inches deep. De...
Terracotta
$2,200
H 39 in W 5 in D 1 in
Robert Longo & Charles Clough Metal Sculpture Lightning Bolt Thunderbolt Pop Art
By Robert Longo
Located in Surfside, FL
Robert Longo (American, born 1953) Charles Clough (American, born 1951) Collaboration Thunderbolt, Lightning Bolt Prototype for a Fundraiser for Hallwalls 1976/2013 (this was produce...
Metal
Grayson Perry - 100% Art Plate
By Grayson Perry
Located in London, GB
Fine bone china 21 cm in diameter On the reverse is the classic Grayson Perry stamp, depicting the Crown, Anchor and 'W'. This is his pottery hallmark. This work was developed in c...
Ceramic
$20,828
H 5.52 in W 3.55 in
Pichet Têtes, Pablo Picasso, 1950's, Sculpture, Ceramic, Pitcher, Design
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Geneva, CH
Pichet Têtes, Pablo Picasso, 1950's, Sculpture, Ceramic, Pitcher, Design Pichet têtes Ed. 500 pcs 1956 White earthenware clay, oxidized paraffin decorati...
Ceramic, Clay
$3,421
H 7.88 in W 12.6 in D 7.88 in
Folding in Motion 6 by Simcha Even-Chen - Porcelain sculpture, orange, line
By Simcha Even-Chen
Located in Paris, FR
Folding in Motion 6 is a unique paper porcelain sculpture by contemporary artist Simcha Even-Chen, dimensions are 20 × 32 × 20 cm (7.9 × 12.6 × 7.9 in). The sculpture is signed and c...
Porcelain
El Sueño by Fernando Botero
By Fernando Botero
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fernando Botero 1932-2023 Colombian El Sueño (The Dream) Signed and numbered 4/6 Bronze Representing one of Fernando Botero's most coveted subjects and executed at the height of ...
Bronze
“Eyes That Are...” Porcelain cup with sgraffito detailing
Located in Miami Beach, FL
“Eyes that are..” Eyes that are at once too sharp and too wild. Seeing everything crystal clear makes the whole world blind. Makes me fill my head with clouds, Pretending these smoke...
Porcelain, Paint
$400
H 4.73 in W 3.55 in D 4.73 in
Hundertwasser's St. Barbara Church Ceramic Miniature Including Certificate
By Friedensreich Hundertwasser
Located in Palm Desert, CA
St. Barbara Church Baernbach by Friedensreich Hundertwasser Ceramic miniature in the scale 1:140 size 12 x 9 x 12 cm Each ceramic object is individually handmade, hand-painted and b...
Porcelain