Gaetano Pesce was of a generation of Italian architects who in the early 1960s rebelled against the industrial perfection of modernism by conceiving new furniture and objects that were at once expressive and eccentric in form; or you might say they were more like art than functionalist design.
Born in the picturesque coastal Italian city of La Spezia in 1939, Pesce was a precocious talent who could have forged a career as an artist but opted instead to go to Venice to study architecture because, as he has said, it was “the most complex of all the arts.” Rather than having new worlds opened to him at design school, however, Pesce found the rationalist curriculum oppressive in its insistence on standardization and prescribed materials and technologies.
Pesce wanted to explore the latest of both materials and technologies to create objects and buildings never before imagined, with what he called “personalities” that spoke to the issues of the day. He was keen to examine ways to diversify mass production so that each manufactured work could be distinct.
In 1964, Pesce met Cesare Cassina, of the forward-looking furniture company C&B Italia in Milan (now known as B&B Italia), for whom he would create many important designs, beginning with a collection of what he called “transformational furniture” — two chairs and a loveseat — made entirely out of high-density polyurethane foam. To make the pieces easy to ship and cost-efficient, he proposed that after being covered in a stretch jersey, they be put in a vacuum, then heat-sealed flat between vinyl sheets. Once the foam was removed from its packaging, the piece returned to its original shape — hence, the name Up for the series, which debuted in 1969.
In addition to these pieces, Pesce proposed for the collection something he referred to as an “anti-armchair,” which took the shape of a reclining fertility goddess, the iconic Donna.
Producing the piece's complex form turned out to be a technical challenge. Bayer, the foam’s manufacturer, deemed it impossible to accomplish. Pesce persisted and came up with a new procedure, demonstrating not only the designer’s key role in researching the nature and potential of new materials but also his vital importance in “doubting rules.” The Up chair and accompanying ottoman were born, and they were revolutionary in more ways than one.
In the early 1970s, Pesce began exploring one of his key concepts, the idea of the industrial originals. Employing a mold without air holes, and adding a blood-red dye to the polyurethane, he cast a bookcase that resembled a demolished wall, the rough edges of the shelves and posts resulting from fissures in the material made by trapped air.
Through his research into polyurethane, Pesce figured out a way to make a loveseat and armchair using only a simple wood frame and strong canvas covering as a mold. Since the fabric developed random folds during the injection process, the pieces were similar but not identical. Cassina named the suite of furnishings Sit Down and introduced it in 1975. By experimenting with felt soaked in polyurethane and resin, Pesce conceived I Feltri, another collection of armchairs introduced by Cassina in 1987.
Pesce went on to live a life that defied expectation and convention and along the way became one of the most seminal figures in art and design.
Find vintage Gaetano Pesce chairs, sofas, vases and more on 1stDibs.
Italian La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Navy
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Italian La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Cobalt
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Italian La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Musk
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
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Italian La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Steel
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
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Italian La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Cyan
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Italian La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Brown
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Italian La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Grey
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Luxury Modular Sofa in Grey Velvet
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Luxury Modular Sofa in Brown Velvet
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Luxury Modular Sofa in Navy Velvet
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Luxury Modular Sofa in Orange Velvet
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Luxury Modular Sofa in Cyan Velvet
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Luxury Modular Sofa in Cobalt Velvet
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Luxury Modular Sofa in Red Velvet
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "La Michetta" Modular Sofa in Multicolored Velvet
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Luxury La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Musk
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Luxury La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Cobalt
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Luxury La Michetta Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia - Velvet Brown
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Design Concept & Cultural Inspiration Conceived by the visionary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, La Michetta is a radical manifesto disguised as a modular sofa. Inspire...
Velvet
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277cm Bronze
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Grey
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Fiord
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Terracotta
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Taupe
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Salt
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Lounge Sofa in Velvet - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm - Pink
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Lounge Sofa in Velvet - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 277 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Lounge Sofa in Velvet - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Cobalt
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, the Nubola 277 3-seater sofa stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, t...
Leather
Luxury Lounge Sofa in Velvet - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Steel
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, the Nubola 277 3-seater sofa stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, t...
Leather
Italian Lounge Sofa in Velvet - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 277 cm Forest
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, the Nubola 277 3-seater sofa stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, t...
Leather
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Italian Sculptural Sofa Hazelnut
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Wine
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Ochre
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Navy
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Red
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Cyan
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 210" Luxury Italian Sculptural Sofa
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 210 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 280" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Navy
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 280 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 280" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Cyan
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 280 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 280" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Blush
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 280 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 280" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Sand
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 280 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Sofà Michetta 280" Italian Sculptural Sofa - Musk
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Sofà Michetta 280 is a radical, sculptural expression of engineered comfort, material poetry, and deliberate asymmetry. Defined by its s...
Fabric
Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia "Colorado" Italian Contemporary Modular Sofa
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia®, the Colorado modular sofa (Composition C03) is a radical, sculptural expression of informal comfort, chromatic poetry, and versatile structu...
Fabric
Luxury Italian Lounge Sofa in Velvet - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola - Grey
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 238 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 238 cm Taupe
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 238 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 238 cm Brown
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 238 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 238 cm Sand
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 238 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather - Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 238 cm Grey
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 238 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather
Luxury Italian Sofa in Leather Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia Nubola 238cm Graphite
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Nubola 238 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of the collection. Beyond its unique aesthetic appeal, the defining magic ...
Leather