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.
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
Set of Four Torbecchia Dining Chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Dronten, NL
Set of 4 dining chairs from the Torbecchia series, designed by brutalist architect Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964. Solid walnut structure with seats upholstered in cane. ...
Cane, Walnut
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
$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
$5,770 / set
H 43.31 in W 17.33 in D 22.84 in
Four Post-Modern Italian Dining Chairs by Pierre Cardin, 1980s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Four dining chairs by Pierre Cardin, 1980s. Absolutely rare production designed by Pierre Cardin in Italy. Back in curved cherry with a cut and a hole that makes it absolutely unique...
Brass
$4,910 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 17.72 in
Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltro
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Almelo, NL
Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltronova in Italy 1964. Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltron...
Rush, Walnut
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 22 in D 22 in
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Jack Van der Molen Americana Casual for Jamestown
By Jamestown Lounge Company, Jack Van der Molen
Located in New York, NY
Stylish midcentury set of four dining chairs, designed by Jack Van der Molen for the Jamestown Lounge Company, as part of the Classic Americana Casual...
Cane, Oak
$1,914Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 72.45 in D 15.75 in
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Italian Wood Midcentury Bench Consolle 1960s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design walnut bench or console table serie Torbecchia designed by Giovanni Michelucci and produced by Poltronova, Italy 1964. Fire-branded G. Michelucci tra...
Walnut
$3,750
H 75.6 in W 22.45 in D 20.48 in
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” Chair for Poltronova, 1972, Italy, Pine, Stamped
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in Almelo, NL
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” Chair in Pine for Poltronova, 1972, Italy Designed by Mario Ceroli in 1972 and produced by Poltronova, the “Fratina” chair is one of the most striking example...
Pine
$4,508 / 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
$6,000 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
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
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 Four Gilt Metal Dining Chairs
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Four matching armless high back cafe style dining chairs. Gold tone over iron base frame, with woven metal backrests and seats. Please note we are also offering, separately, the mat...
Iron
$12,000 / set
H 26.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of six Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Ital...
Metal
Pair Of 1960s Locus Solus Chairs By Gae Aulenti For Poltronova
By Poltronova
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A refined example of Italian modernist design, this pair of 1960s Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova showcases a bold yet refined tubular aesthetic. Constructed from co...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in W 20.67 in D 19.49 in
Group of Six Chairs Giovanni Michelucci Beech Raffia 1960s-1970s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Group of six chairs designed by Michelucci in 1964; stained beech wood, seats in woven raffia.
Raffia, Beech
Chairs, Beech and Straw, 1970s G. Michelucci, Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Group of 4 chairs; walnut stained beechwood, straw seat.
Straw, Beech
Studio-Built Armchair by Giovanni Michelucci
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in New York, NY
Early designed chair of Italian walnut. Architectural construction, inlaid triangle of ebony on seat back. Branded signiture on rear. Originally designed in 1919, this particular mo...