When discussing Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci, it is difficult to decide which is the more impressive achievement: his more than half-century track record of notable projects, which includes designing and restoring some of Tuscany’s most famous landmarks, or his nearly century-long life. While he is often remembered for passing away just two days before his centennial birthday, in the same breath he is memorialized for his exceptional contributions to Tuscan architecture, including Florence’s Santa Maria Novella Train Station, Palazzo delle Poste and restored rooms inside the legendary Uffizi Gallery.
Michelucci’s practice began in childhood, at his family’s artistic metal workshop. There, he rubbed elbows with many passing artists and architects before pursuing design academically at Florence’s Istituto Superiore di Architettura. Michelucci graduated in 1911 and embarked on a long teaching career. By the early 1920s, he was instructing at the Istituto d’Arte of Rome and later at the Istituto Superiore di Architettura, from 1928 until 1936. He served as dean of the school’s architectural faculty twice during the 1940s and founded the magazine La Nuova Città between the two appointments. He left Florence in 1948 to become a professor at the School of Engineering in Bologna, where he remained until his retirement.
Other significant architectural projects dot Michelucci ‘s career, like the Santa Maria Novella church and church of St. John the Baptist. Often working in collaboration with the Grouppo Tuscano, a collective of young architects, Michelucci beat out more than 100 other bidders on multiple contracts to bring his modernist, rationalist approach to Italy’s architectural landscape.
In his hometown of Pistoia, as well as Fiesole, Michelucci formed the Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci, which undertook social projects targeted at prisons, hospitals and asylums within the cities. He dedicated the rest of his life toward using architecture to address social challenges — a cause the foundation continues to support today.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Giovanni Michelucci lighting, case pieces and tables.
Architectural Mid-Century Sideboard in Mahogany
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard, mahogany, Italy, 1960s Striking Italian sideboard executed in rich mahogany. The design is characterized by its strong architectural presence, featuring a broad overhangi...
Mahogany
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Chrome Ministerial Table Lamp for Lariolux
By Giovanni Michelucci, Kaiser Idell, Lariolux
Located in Glendale, CA
1940s Giovanni Michelucci chrome ministerial table lamp for Lariolux. Produced circa 1940 and executed in polished chrome with swiveling arm and rotating adjustable shade. Reminiscen...
Metal, Chrome
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Patinated Brass Adjustable Banker Lamp for Lariolux
By Lariolux, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Glendale, CA
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Patinated Brass Adjustable Banker Lamp for Lariolux Produced circa 1940 and executed in richly patinated brass with and adjustable height stem. Ball joint ...
Brass
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors, two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. The signature o...
Wood, Walnut
"Torbecchia" wooden sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1970
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Argelato, BO
This sideboard is an iconic piece of Italian design from the 1960s, designed by architect Giovanni Michelucci in 1964 for Poltronova. It is part of the "Torbecchia" series, a project...
Wood
Mid 20thC Bronze Adjustable Table Lamp Attributed To Giovanni Michelucci c.1945
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Mid 20th Century versatile bronze lamp with adjustable height and angle, featuring a sleek design attributed to Giovanni Michelucci. Giovanni Michelucci (1891–1990) was a distinguish...
Bronze
Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the world of mid-century Italian design with this exquisite Torbecchia sideboard, masterfully crafted by renowned architect and designer Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova ...
Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci Dining Room Set with Table Bench and Chairs by Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia dining room set is composed of four chairs, one table, and one bench. The table and the bench were made in walnut wood, the chairs have a structure in walnut wood and wove...
Straw, Walnut
Patinated Brass Ministerial Table Lamp by Giovanni Michelucci for Lariolux Italy
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Patinated Brass Ministerial Table/Task Lamp by Giovanni Michelucci for Lariolux (ca. 1940s, Italy). Composed of a wide, adjustable shade supported by pivoting stem and round base. Or...
Brass
Chest of Drawers model "Serena" by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1955
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Roma, IT
Chest of drawers model "Serena" realized by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in 1955. Realized in walnut wood and in excellent condition. Signature engraved.
Metal
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 2
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of two. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs fo...
Straw, Wood
Walnut coffee table with compartment by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Walnut coffee table with compartment by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970s, Made in Italy. Walnut coffee table with compartment by Giovanni Michelucci, 1970s. It was designed in wood and ven...
Wood, Walnut
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Chrome Ministerial Table Lamp for Lariolux
By Lariolux, Kaiser Idell, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Glendale, CA
1940s Giovanni Michelucci chrome ministerial table lamp for Lariolux. Produced circa 1940 and executed in polished chrome with swiveling arm and rotating adjustable shade. Reminiscen...
Metal, Chrome
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” dining chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of six. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs fo...
Straw, Wood
Serena Cabinet by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1950s Italy
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in London, London
Serena cabinet with drawers by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Walnut A sculptural and subtly architectural cabinet designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in the 1950s. ...
Walnut
Torbecchia sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Ravenna, IT
Furniture designed by Michelucci and manufactured by Poltronova. The cabinet consists of two lower hinged doors, which can be opened by a handle, and two upper hinged doors, which ca...
Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Solid Walnut Bench, 1960s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Dronten, NL
A sculptural and profoundly architectural piece, this “Torbecchia” bench by Giovanni Michelucci exemplifies the masterful balance between craftsmanship and modernist form that define...
Walnut
Set of Six "Torbecchia" Chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 196
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milan, IT
Set of six "Torbecchia" chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova. Sturdy solid walnut frame and movable leather-padded seating.
Leather, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs for Poltronova...
Straw, Wood
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Chrome Ministerial Table Lamp for Lariolux
By Kaiser Idell, Giovanni Michelucci, Lariolux
Located in Glendale, CA
1940s Giovanni Michelucci chrome ministerial table lamp for Lariolux. Produced circa 1940 and executed in polished chrome with swiveling arm and rotating adjustable shade with white ...
Metal, Chrome
Italian Post-Modern Set of Six Dining Chairs in Wood and Rush
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, beech, rush, Italy, 1970s Elegant set of Italian dining chairs dating from the 1970s, crafted in warm beech wood with handwoven rush seats. The clean archi...
Rush, Beech
Walnut coffee table with compartment by Michelucci, 1970
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Manzano, IT
Walnut coffee table with compartment by Michelucci, 1970 Designed in walnut veneer in 1974 Style Vintage Periodo del design 1970 - 1979 Production Period 1970 - 1979 Year Manufacture...
Nutwood
Midcentury pair of benches by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1965
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of walnut benches by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1964 Designed by renowned Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci and produced by Poltronova in 1964, this rare pai...
Wood, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 'Torbecchia' Dining Table in Walnut
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 'Torbecchia' dining table, walnut, Italy, 1964 A streamlined table with architectural flair designed by Giovanni Michelucci (1891-1990) for Poltr...
Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The Serena chest of drawers was designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in 1955. Made in walnut wood, it features six drawers — four smaller above and two larger below. Signed...
Walnut
Large 1940s Giovanni Michelucci Brass Ministerial Table Lamp for Lariolux
By Lariolux, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Glendale, CA
Large 1940s Giovanni Michelucci brass ministerial table lamp for Lariolux. Produced circa 1940 and executed in a beautifully patinated brass with swiveling arm and rotating adjustab...
Brass
$1,119Sale Price|20% Off
Amazing Giovanni Michelucci Mid-Century Modern Chrome Table Lamp
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Catania, IT
Elegant chrome ministerial lamp, designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci and made of chromed metal in 1940 by "Lariolux". Good conditio...
Metal, Chrome
Italian Modern Wood Bench Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1970s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood Bench Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1970s Bench mod. Torbecchia entirely in solid wood. The rectangular seat...
Wood
Mid 20th Century Nickel Coated Brass Table Lamp by Giovanni Michealucci
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Elegant lamp designed by the architect Giovanni Michelucci and made in 1940 by Lariolux. It is a striking example of the Italian architect's mastery of form and material. The warm ag...
Brass
Giovanni Michelucci per Lariolux Lampada da Tavolo in Ottone, Italia 1950s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Lariolux
Located in Naples, IT
Rara lampada da tavolo in ottone disegnata dall'architetto Giovanni Michelucci e prodotta negli anni '50 in Italia da Lariolux. La lampada ha una funzionalità ingegnosa grazie ai due...
Brass
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Patinated Brass Ministerial Desk Lamp for Lariolux
By Lariolux, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Glendale, CA
1940s Giovanni Michelucci Patinated Brass Ministerial Desk Lamp for Lariolux Produced circa 1940 and executed in richly patinated brass with swiveling arm and rotating adjustable sh...
Brass
Brass Table Lamp By Giovanni Michelucci , designed for Lariolux in the c.1950's
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in London, GB
This Giovanni Michelucci table lamp, designed for Lariolux in the c.1950s, features an adjustable dome-shaped shade and articulated joints. Approximately 40 cm in height, with a 30 ...
Metal
Italian Modern Low Table By Giovanni Michelucci - 1960
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian Modern Low Table By Giovanni Michelucci - 1960
Wood
$1,165Sale Price|20% Off
Amazing, Mid-Century Modern Chrome and Brass Giovanni Michelucci Table Lamp
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Catania, IT
Elegant chrome ministerial lamp, designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci and made of chromed metal and brass in 1940 by "Lariolux". Goo...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Giovanni Michelucci, Table mod. Ragno and four chairs mod. Scapolare, 1980s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Rivoli, IT
Very rare set of table and chairs signed Michelucci. Wooden furniture designed by architect Giovanni Michelucci (1891-1990) were born from the purpose of establishing a solid balance...
Velvet, Glass, Wood