The Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti will forever be best remembered for her work with museums, in particular her 1980–86 renovation of a Beaux Arts Paris train station to create the galleries of the Musée d’Orsay. Aulenti — whose first name, short for Gaetana, is pronounced “guy” — should also be recalled for her tough intellectual spirit and for working steadily when few women found successful architectural careers in postwar Italy.
After she graduated from the Milan Polytechic in 1954, Aulenti opened an architectural office. She also joined the staff of the progressive architectural magazine Casabella, whose editorial line was that the establishment, orthodox modernism of Le Corbusier and the Bauhaus, had outlived it usefulness. When their movement for fresh approaches to architecture and design received a sympathetic hearing, Aulenti found patrons — most prominently Gianni Agnelli, of Fiat, who later employed her to renovate the Palazzo Grassi in Venice for use as an arts exhibition space.
Commissions for showrooms and other corporate spaces brought Aulenti to furniture design. She felt that furniture should never dominate a room. Her chairs and sofas — low-slung, with rounded enameled metal frames and ample seats — and tables, particularly her 1972 marble Jumbo coffee table for Knoll, project solidity and sturdiness. In lighting design, however, Aulenti is bravura.
Each work has a marvelous sculptural presence. Pieces such as her Pipistrello table lamp and Quadrifoglio pendant are a perfect marriage of organically shaped glass and high-tech fixtures. Others have a futuristic elegance — and some even have a touch of personality. Aulenti’s Pileino and La Ruspa table lamps each look almost like little robots. Her lighting pieces are an artful grace note in the career of a woman who believed in strength.
Find vintage Gae Aulenti armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$5,329Sale Price|25% Off
Locus Solus armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Locus Solus armchair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964. A first production in excellent condition, restored. Structure in painted metal,...
Iron
5x Original Locus Solus Stühle Poltronova Gae Aulenti Metall design
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von fünf wunderschönen und sehr seltenen Armlehnstühlen des italienischen Traditionsherstellers Poltronova aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt vo...
Metal
"La Stringa" by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Sofa of Two Armchairs 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Architectural Italian design by Gae Aulenti The ‘Stringa’ series reflects Gae Aulenti’s vision of flexible living, where seating elements interact within a space. The armchairs featu...
Chrome
Mid-Century Arcata Armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Arcata Armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
Wood
$2,605Sale Price / set|20% Off
L54 pair of armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of Gae Aulenti model 54L design armchairs for Knoll international. Beautiful timeless design armchairs with black lacquered metal frames and orange/red fabric upholstery. The ...
Metal
Orsay Armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, White Leather, Italy, 1975
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Orsay armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, 1975. Made of white leather and lacquered steel, these chairs feature a bold, curved design. They remain in their original vintage c...
Steel
Pair of Gae Aulenti '54L' Armchairs for Knoll International in Beige Leather
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Zagreb, HR
Exceptionally rare and collectible, armchairs, model ’54L’ designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International. Late 1970s production in beige leather and white metal. Iconic design of ...
Metal
Set of 2 blue 4794 armchairs, Gae Aulenti, Kartell space age plastic 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Kartell
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Designed by Gae Aulenti for Kartell, the model 4794 armchairs represent one of his most famous forays into industrial design. Made entirely of lacquered foam plastic, these seats are...
Plastic
Arcata Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Quarrata, IT
Gae Aulenti “Arcata” model 1960s armchairs. Manufactered by Poltronova. Wooden structure, original leather uphokster.
Leather, Wood
Arcata Easy Chairs by Gae Aulenti in Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; Easy Chairs; Armchairs; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; Walnut; Burgundy Leather; Mid-Century Modern; Gae Aulenti Arcata...
Leather, Walnut
$1,172 / item
4794 armchair by Gae Aulenti for Kartell
By Gae Aulenti
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Model 4794 armchair by Gae Aulenti for Kartell and dating from the 1970s. Structure in black lacquered polyurethane. Traces of use, particularly on the seats. The condition is simila...
Plastic
$22,000 / set
H 26.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 10
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of ten Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Ita...
Metal
Sold|$4,500
H 30 in W 31 in D 33 in
Vintage Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Lounge Chairs, Green Frames Black Leather
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Round Rock, TX
Pair of sculptural lounge chairs designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll. A continuous tubular steel frame wraps the chair in one flowing line, forming both the arms and base. These examp...
Metal
$1,250
H 26.19 in W 22.45 in D 21.86 in
Early Gae Aulenti for Zanotta 'Locus Solus' Tubular Armchair in Steel
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Zanotta, 'Locus Solus' armchair, chromed tubular steel, blue leatherette, Italy, 1964 This Locus Solus armchair, designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Zanotta, is ...
Steel
$2,937Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in Dm 22.45 in
Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964. An early production in good condition, restored bouclé seat. Chrome metal frame, cotton. The chair has slight defects, ...
Metal, Chrome
$5,507Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in
Locus Solus Daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Wien, AT
The Locus Solus daybed, designed in 1964 by the influential Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, is a striking example of 1960s avant-garde design. With its tub...
Steel
$6,360
H 30.32 in W 59.06 in D 32.68 in
Canapé Modèle 54 par Gae Aulenti pour Knoll – Restauration Bonjour Gallery
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Rouen, FR
Canapé deux places Modèle 54, conçu par Gae Aulenti dans les années 1970 pour Knoll International. Icône du design post-moderniste italien, ce modèle se distingue par sa structure tu...
Metal
"Locus Solus" daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in bruxelles, BE
Daybed, meridian with cushion in yellow fabric with white stitching and metal structure by Gae Aulenti. Model: Locus Solus. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RE...
Metal
$4,441 / set
H 26.38 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
Set of 4 pink Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in amstelveen, NL
A set of 4 lacquered metal Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964. The round seat is perforated sheet metal. The structure, which forms the backrest, armrests, and le...
Steel
$7,100
H 28.5 in W 51.5 in D 31.5 in
Stringa' Cognac Leather + Chrome Loveseat by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic ‘Stringa’ two-seat sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in the 1960s. This beautifully proportioned, sculptural loveseat is constructed of tubular chromed metal and ...
Chrome
$2,950
H 33.47 in W 28.75 in D 43.31 in
Patinated Cognac Leather Sgarsul Rocking Chair, Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Almelo, NL
Patinated Cognac Leather Sgarsul Rocking Chair, Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy 1962 Iconic Sgarsul rocking chair designed by Gae Aulenti and manufactured by Poltronova in Italy i...
Leather, Bentwood, Plywood
$7,461
H 28.75 in W 51.97 in D 35.44 in
Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, italy, 1962 - New Leather Upholstery
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, italy, 1962 - New Leather Upholstery
Metal
$1,560Sale Price|40% Off
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 27.56 in
Gae Aulenti Armchair Model 4794 for Kartell, Polystyrene, Italy, 1970
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Centreville, VA
The iconic Gae Aulenti Kartell series, first introduced in 1974, marks a significant milestone in the history of furniture design. The series, comprising a table (Model 4894), an arm...
Polystyrene
Stringa Armchair by Gae Aulenti, 1962 - Original Upholstery
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Stringa Armchair by Gae Aulenti, 1962 - Original Upholstery
Metal
"Locus Solus" Armchair and Pouf
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Forest, BE
Gae Aulenti was an Italian architect and designer who gained international acclaim for her versatile and innovative work. She is particularly renowned for her architectural projects,...
Steel
Mid-Century Pair of "Stringa" Armchairs by Gae Aulenti, 1962
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Pair of "Stringa" Armchairs by Gae Aulenti, 1962
Chrome
Sgarsul armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
Sgarsul armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s It is a rocking armchair characterised by an elegant and sinuous bent and stained beech wood frame, a comfortable and s...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 29.53 in D 39.38 in
Sgarsul rocking chair in leather and wood Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italia 1962
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Catania, IT
Sgarsul rocking chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. Bentwood frame, black leather seat and cushion. In excellent vintage condition, absent signs of wear and cracks ...
Leather, Bentwood
"54L" armchair in white metal and fabric, Gae Aulenti, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in PARIS, FR
Armchair model "54L" by Italian architect Gae Aulenti (1927-2012), for Knoll International in the 1970s. The structure is made of white lacquered metal, while the seat and backrest a...
Metal
Set of 3 Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Centreville, VA
Locus Solus chair Designer: Gee Aulenti Year: 1964 Gae Aulenti was an Italian architect and designer who gained international acclaim for her versatile and innovative work. She is p...
Chrome
Locus Solus chair by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Centreville, VA
Locus Solus chair Designer: Gee Aulenti Year: 1964 Gae Aulenti was an Italian architect and designer who gained international acclaim for her versatile and innovative work. She is p...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 27.56 in
Gae Aulenti Space Age Polyurethane Black Lounge Armchair 4794 for Kartell, 1974
By Gae Aulenti, Kartell
Located in Vicenza, IT
The lounge chair 4794 by Gae Aulenti for Kartell was introduced in 1974. It is made of molded black lacquered polyurethane. The collection also includes chair 4854, armchair 4794, an...
Plastic
Sgarsul armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
Sgarsul model armchair, Gae Aulenti by Poltronova, Italy, 1960s One of designer Gae Aulenti's most famous design pieces, black painted wood frame and brown leather fabric. Dim : 1...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Gae Aulenti Chrome Locus Solus Armchairs. Italy 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milan, IT
Sleek pair of Gae Aulenti Locus Solus Armchairs in chrome and black faux-leather seats, Italy 1960s
Metal, Chrome
Leather armchair by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in PARIS, FR
Armchair from the "Orsay" series by Knoll, designed by the Italian designer Gae Aulenti (1927-2012), from the 1980s. Steel frame and leather cushions. Very good overall condition. DV82
Leather