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.
$1,988Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta April Folding Chair in VIP Seat and Stainless Steel Frame by Gae Aulenti
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta April Folding Chair in VIP Seat and Stainless Steel Frame by Gae Aulenti Folding chair. Frame in black or white painted steel. Nylon seat and ...
Stainless Steel
$2,980Sale Price|20% Off
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
Pair of 'Aprilina' folding chairs by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
The Aprilina folding chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta in 1964 epitomizes the essence of minimalism and elegance. With an extraordinary minimalistic design, it embodies simpl...
Aluminum
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Panca Bianca "Locus Solus," Italy 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Naples, IT
Locus Solus is a series of outdoor furniture designed by architect Gae Aulenti in 1967, produced by Poltronova, Zanotta and later acquired by Exteta. The elements of the series are: ...
Metal
"Locus" White Metal Chairs Design Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italy 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four Italian midcentury modern design dining chairs or out door chairs model “Locus” designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Poltronova from 1964...
Metal
Customizable Zanotta Cowhide April Folding Chair by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in New York, NY
Folding chair. 18/8 stainless steel frame. Aluminum alloy joints. Removable cover in Vip (also for outdoor, fire-resistant and anti-bacterial), in Telastrong or in cowhide 95. One o...
Cowhide
Gae Aulenti Space Age Locus Solus Armchairs and Ottoman for Poltronova, 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Locus Solus Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova – Restored This rare set includes two lounge chairs and one ottoman from the Locus Solus series, designe...
Iron
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
"Locus Solus" High Stool by Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
The "Locus Solus" stool, designed by the renowned architect and designer Gae Aulenti in the 1960s, stands as a hallmark of modern Italian design. Known for her ability to blend art a...
Metal
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Set of 4 Chairs "Locus Solus," Italy 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Naples, IT
Locus Solus is a series of outdoor furniture designed by architect Gae Aulenti in 1967, produced by Poltronova, Zanotta and later acquired by Exteta. The elements of the series are: ...
Metal
$1,735 / item
Locus Solus Yellow Chair by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Exteta
Located in Milan, IT
This contemporary chair delivers comfort, style, and quality in a playful and colorful silhouette suitable for any outdoor setting. The original 1964 Locus Solus Collection by Gae Au...
Steel
Original 4er Set Knoll Orsay Stühle Gae Aulenti Stuhl Leder Design
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set original Knoll "Orsay" Stühle aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Die Stühle wurden professionell komplett neu aufgearbeitet. Während das Leder...
Aluminum
20th Century Gae Aulenti Set of Four Chairs mod. Locus Solus
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Turin, Turin
Gae Aulenti was an Italian designer and architect who was active in furniture design, graphic design, lighting design and interior design. She was known for her contribution to the d...
Steel
Gae Aulenti for Knoll International "Orsay" Armchairs, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Almelo, NL
"Orsay" armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Italy 1970s These "Orsay" armchairs were designed by Gae Aulenti and p...
Steel
Gae Aulenti, Kuka, Daybed, Zanotta, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Paris, FR
Gae Aulenti Kuka A very rare square daybed covered with a light grey fabric. The removable head rest behind two rectangular cushions, the seat with two ...
Fabric
$2,042 / set
H 84 in W 59 in D 55 in
Pair of Folding Chairs by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus, 1960s, Switzerland
By Horgen-Glarus
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Leather Pair of Folding Chairs by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus , 1960s, Switzerland Measurements : Height: 84 cm Width: 59 cm Depth: 55 cm Seating height: 37 cm Please do not he...
Leather, Wood
$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
$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 Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
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
$18,000
H 28.35 in W 27.96 in D 30.71 in
"La Stringa" by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Sofa of Two Armchairs 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
"Stringa" sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubular chrome frame holds leather seats on top of felt upholstered cushions. The leather cushions are attached wi...
Chrome
$5,587Sale 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
$4,506 / 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
$2,103 / set
H 26.78 in W 21.66 in D 21.26 in
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
Zanotta Lia Chair by Roberto Barbieri in STOCK
By Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
The Lia chair is tour-de-force of minimalist seating - its thin frame and similarly narrow-profile yet gently curved seat and back expanses, ensure both ergonomics and a profound lev...
Aluminum
$5,407Sale Price|25% Off
H 32.29 in W 28.35 in D 39.38 in
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
$4,000 / set
H 26.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 2
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964, set of two Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Italy’s radical de...
Metal
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964 Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Italy’s radical design movemen...
Metal
GAE AULENTI Pair of "Locus Solus" Chairs ITALY
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Forest, BE
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, wh...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 26.38 in W 22.84 in D 21.66 in
"Locus Solus" Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s, set of 6
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 chromed metal and black leather chairs designed by Gae Aulenti in the 60s. Model: Locus Solus. Seat height: 42 cm. Wear due to age and time of chairs. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST ...
Metal
Sold
H 26.38 in W 22.84 in D 21.66 in
"Locus Solus" Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s, set of 4
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 chromed metal and black leather chairs designed by Gae Aulenti in the 60s. Model: Locus Solus. Seat height: 42 cm. Wear due to age and time of chairs. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST ...
Metal
Sold
H 26.38 in W 21.86 in D 20.67 in
"Locus" White Metal Chairs Design Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italy 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four Italian midcentury modern design dining chairs or out door chairs model “Locus” designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Poltronova from 1964...
Metal
Sold
H 27.96 in W 20.87 in D 26.38 in
Zanotta Klappstuhl Gae Aulenti Leder April folding chair Regiestuhl
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne Zanotta Klapp-/ Regiestühle zum Verkauf an. Die Stühle wurden von der renommierten Designerin Gae Aulenti im Jahr 1964 entworfen, wobei es sich bei diese...
Metal
Set of 2 Chairs Mod.4854 Gae Aulenti, Kartell
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Chairs Kartell by Gae Aulenti Mod.4854 Chairs Mod.4854 Gae Aulenti, Kartell The Mod.4854 chair is an iconic creation by famous Italian designer Gae Aulenti for Kartell, a renowned It...
Plastic
Sold
H 32.68 in W 21.26 in D 21.66 in
Gae Aulenti, Set of 2 "Orsay" Chairs for Knoll International, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Paris, FR
Set of 2 "Orsay" chairs designed by Gae Aulenti produced by Knoll International in Italy. Circa 1970s. New upholstery. Dark brown lacquered metal feet. Vintage condition of the feet...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
Sold
H 33.86 in W 18.12 in D 17.72 in
Gae Aulenti folding chairs mod. Aprilina, Zanotta ca. 1970 in metal/fabric
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
Gae Aulenti folding chairs mod. Aprilina, Zanotta. The chairs are the result of a design by Arch. Gae Aulenti in about 1964. Lightweight and perfect for any occasion. The chairs ar...
Metal
Sold
H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 19.3 in
Set of 4 Green Resin Kartell Model 4854 Chairs by Gae Aulenti, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Kartell
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Elevate your space with a rare and exceptional set of four Kartell Model 4854 Chairs, designed by the legendary Gae Aulenti in 1968. Crafted from green lacquered thick resin, these c...
Resin
Sold
H 32.68 in W 21.26 in D 21.66 in
Gae Aulenti, Set of 4 "Orsay" Chairs for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Paris, FR
Nice set of 4 "Orsay" chairs designed by Gae Aulenti produced by Knoll International in Italy. Circa 1970s. New upholstery. Dark brown lacquered metal feet. Good vintage condition o...
Metal
Locus Solus, Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Il “Locus Solus” è stato concepito negli anni 60 e rappresenta un’icona del design moderno italiano. Caratterizzata da linee pulite e geometriche, la poltrona è stata realizzata con ...
Metal
Set of 2 Chairs Mod.4854 Gae Aulenti, Kartell
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Chairs Kartell by Gae Aulenti Mod.4854 Chairs Mod.4854 Gae Aulenti, Kartell The Mod.4854 chair is an iconic creation by famous Italian designer Gae Aulenti for Kartell, a renowned It...
Plastic