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 Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
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, 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
$7,761 / set
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
Mario Botta, 'Seconda' Black Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Three 'Seconda' chairs designed by the famous architect Mario Botta for the Italian firm Alias, model 602. All three are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bea...
Steel
$5,478 / 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
$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 Poltronova, Mario Ceroli
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
Set Of Four Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair Italy 1980s.
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set Of Four Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair Italy 1980s.
Chrome
$4,280 / 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 Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
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
$2,339 / set
H 33.47 in W 20.48 in D 18.51 in
Set of Four Original Bauhaus Cesca Chairs, by M. Breuer, Chrome, Italy, 1980s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic Cesca chair, an original design work by Marcel Breuer in the Bauhaus style, represents the pinnacle of "Made in Italy" quality. This authentic chair by the famous Austria...
Steel, Chrome
$2,339 / set
H 33.27 in W 18.31 in D 19.3 in
Set of Four Restored Bauhaus Cesca Chairs, by M. Breuer, Chrome, Italy, 1980s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic Cesca chair, an original design masterpiece by Marcel Breuer in the Bauhaus style, represents the pinnacle of "Made in Italy" quality. This authentic chair by the famous ...
Steel, Chrome
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” Sculptural Chair for Poltronova, 1972
By Mario Ceroli, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Ceroli “Fratina” sculptural chair for Poltronova, wood, Italy, 1972 An iconic blend of radical design and archaic inspiration, the “Fratina” chair by Mario Ceroli was designed...
Wood
$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
$2,899
H 15.75 in W 72.45 in D 15.95 in
Italian Modern Wood Bench Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1970s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
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
$4,508 / set
H 32.68 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Set of six chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for R&B. Italy, 1950
By Gian Franco Frattini
Located in MADRID, ES
Wood and metal frame with satin upholstery. Length: 43 cm Depth: 43 cm Seat height: 39 cm Height: 83 cm Gianfranco Frattini was an architect and designer of furniture and lamps. He...
Metal
$7,201 / set
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 72.45 in
Midcentury pair of benches by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1965
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
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
$3,250 / set
H 29.34 in W 19.69 in D 20.67 in
Set of 4 Torbecchia Dining Chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Dronten, NL
A set of four Torbecchia dining chairs, designed in 1964 by the Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova. Michelucci is best known for his monumental, brutalist-leaning b...
Cane, Walnut
$2,625 / item
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Black Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Three 'Seconda' chairs designed by the famous architect Mario Botta for the Italian firm Alias, model 602. All 4 are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bear ...
Steel
$2,699 / set
H 29.53 in W 16.93 in D 20.48 in
Set of six dining chairs Giovanni Michelucci 'Torbecchia' dining chairs
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in BE
Beautiful dining chairs by renowned Italian designer Giovanni Michelucci. He designed these chairs in the 1960s for the famous manufacturer Poltronova. The seatings have the original...
Rattan, Wood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 20.67 in D 19.49 in
Group of Six Chairs Giovanni Michelucci Beech Raffia 1960s-1970s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
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 Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
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...