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Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Italian, 1931-2019

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)

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Creator: Alessandro Mendini
Italian Postmodern Proust Geometrica Armchair Alessandro Mendini by Cappellini
Italian Postmodern Proust Geometrica Armchair Alessandro Mendini by Cappellini

Italian Postmodern Proust Geometrica Armchair Alessandro Mendini by Cappellini

By Cappellini, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Portland, OR

An iconic chair designed by Italian postmodern designer Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019). This wonderful postmodern work of art presented as a chair is in excellent condition and ready to display in your space. Proust was originally created in 1978 for the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. It was immediately recognized as an icon of twentieth century design and one of the most renowned and essential reference points in the quest for form and aesthetic perfection. Cappellini inherited the piece in 1993 and today Proust Geometrica...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Foam, Beech, Paint

Magis Proust LowChair in White by Alessandro Mendini
Magis Proust LowChair in White by Alessandro Mendini

Magis Proust LowChair in White by Alessandro Mendini

By Magis, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Brooklyn, NY

“I think many people will already know my “Proust armchair”. It is a romantic, baroque chair, on which an endless number of multi-coloured dots are hand-paint- ed using the pointillism technique. These dots cover the whole armchair, both the fabric and the wooden decorations. It’ s a re-design work. It is, in fact, a combination of a mock-antique armchair with a detail from a painting of a garden by French artist Signac. From 1978 onwards, the “Proust armchair” was produced in many versions, using different colours, ma- terials and dimensions, and was even made of ceramics and bronze. It travelled all around the world and was hosted in many museums. But now some truly revolutionary news, as a paradox comes true: the “Proust armchair” has now been transformed into an industrial rotational-moulded piece. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you “ Magis Proust...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

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Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Black
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Black

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Black

By Alessandro Mendini, Magis

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Proust Geometrica hand-carved and handpainted Armchair by Alessandro Mendini
Proust Geometrica hand-carved and handpainted Armchair by Alessandro Mendini

Proust Geometrica hand-carved and handpainted Armchair by Alessandro Mendini

By Cappellini, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Brooklyn, NY

One of the most acclaimed design pieces in the world, the Proust armchair by Alessandro Mendini was launched in 1978, when it was used to furnish the Palazzo dei Diamanti, in Ferrara...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Original Proust Armchair by Alessandro Mendini,  Italy
Original Proust Armchair by Alessandro Mendini,  Italy

Original Proust Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Italy

By Alessandro Mendini

Located in Asti, Piemonte

Historical piece of contemporary design, the Proust armchair with carved and hand painted wooden frame, fixed multicolored fabric hand- painted lining ...

Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Proust hand-carved and handpainted Armchair by Alessandro Mendini for Cappellini
Proust hand-carved and handpainted Armchair by Alessandro Mendini for Cappellini

Proust hand-carved and handpainted Armchair by Alessandro Mendini for Cappellini

By Cappellini, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Brooklyn, NY

One of the most acclaimed design pieces in the world, the Proust armchair by Alessandro Mendini was launched in 1978, when it was used to furnish the Palazzo dei Diamanti, in Ferrara...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Alessandro Mendini 'Zabro' Chair Table for Zanotta, Original 1984 Prod, Signed
Alessandro Mendini 'Zabro' Chair Table for Zanotta, Original 1984 Prod, Signed

Alessandro Mendini 'Zabro' Chair Table for Zanotta, Original 1984 Prod, Signed

By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This amazing collectors piece of Post-Modern design is an original 1980s production of the 'Zabro' chair (which easily transforms into a table) designed in 1984 by Alessandro Mendini...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

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Leather, Wood

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Orange
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Orange

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Orange

By Magis, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Red
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Red

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Red

By Alessandro Mendini, Magis

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Blue
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Blue

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Blue

By Alessandro Mendini, Magis

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Magis Proust LowChair in Multicolour by Alessandro Mendini
Magis Proust LowChair in Multicolour by Alessandro Mendini

Magis Proust LowChair in Multicolour by Alessandro Mendini

By Alessandro Mendini, Magis

Located in Brooklyn, NY

“I think many people will already know my “Proust armchair”. It is a romantic, baroque chair, on which an endless number of multi-coloured dots are hand-paint- ed using the pointillism technique. These dots cover the whole armchair, both the fabric and the wooden decorations. It’ s a re-design work. It is, in fact, a combination of a mock-antique armchair with a detail from a painting of a garden by French artist Signac. From 1978 onwards, the “Proust armchair” was produced in many versions, using different colours, ma- terials and dimensions, and was even made of ceramics and bronze. It travelled all around the world and was hosted in many museums. But now some truly revolutionary news, as a paradox comes true: the “Proust armchair” has now been transformed into an industrial rotational-moulded piece. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you “ Magis Proust...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Polystyrene

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, White
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, White

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, White

By Alessandro Mendini, Magis

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair - Alessandro Mendini Multicolor
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair - Alessandro Mendini Multicolor

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair - Alessandro Mendini Multicolor

By Alessandro Mendini, Magis

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Yellow
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Yellow

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Yellow

By Alessandro Mendini, Magis

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Green
Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Green

Magis Proust Italian Postmodern Outdoor Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Green

By Magis, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the Proust Armchair is one of the most celebrated icons of Italian Postmodern design. Originally created in 1978, this extraordinary armchair reinterp...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

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Alessandro Mendini armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Alessandro Mendini armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Alessandro Mendini armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 2 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 6 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original armchairs by Alessandro Mendini were created in the modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Roberto Menghi, Giorgio Collection, and Cini Boeri. Prices for Alessandro Mendini armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,085 and can go as high as $38,425, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $13,890.

Questions About Alessandro Mendini Armchairs

  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    Alessandro Mendini is famous for his designs and writings. 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. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others. Explore a collection of Alessandro Mendini furniture on 1stDibs.