Sculptor, furniture and jewelry designer, graphic artist and metalsmith, Harry Bertoia was one of the great cross-disciplinarians of 20th-century art and design and a central figure in American mid-century modernism. Among furniture aficionados, Bertoia is known for his chairs such as the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952.
As an artist, he is revered for a style that was his alone. Bertoia’s metal sculptures are by turns expressive and austere, powerful and subtle, intimate in scale and monumental. All embody a tension between the intricacy and precision of Bertoia’s forms and the raw strength of his materials: steel, brass, bronze and copper.
Fortune seemed to guide Bertoia’s artistic development. Born in northeastern Italy, Bertoia immigrated to the United States at age 15, joining an older brother in Detroit. He studied drawing and metalworking in the gifted student program at Cass Technical High School. Recognition led to awards that culminated, in 1937, in a teaching scholarship to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Bloomfield Hills, one of the great crucibles of modernism in America.
At Cranbrook, Bertoia made friendships — with architect Eero Saarinen, designers Charles and Ray Eames and Florence Schust Knoll and others — that shaped the course of his life. He taught metalworking at the school, and when materials rationing during World War II limited the availability of metals, Bertoia focused on jewelry design. He also experimented with monotype printmaking, and 19 of his earliest efforts were bought by the Guggenheim Museum.
In 1943, he left Cranbrook to work in California with the Eameses, helping them develop their now-famed plywood furniture. (Bertoia received scant credit.) Late in that decade, Florence and Hans Knoll persuaded him to move east and join Knoll Inc. His chairs became and remain perennial bestsellers. Royalties allowed Bertoia to devote himself full-time to metal sculpture, a medium he began to explore in earnest in 1947.
By the early 1950s Bertoia was receiving commissions for large-scale works from architects — the first came via Saarinen — as he refined his aesthetic vocabulary into two distinct skeins. One comprises his “sounding sculptures” — gongs and “Sonambient” groupings of rods that strike together and chime when touched by hand or by the wind. The other genre encompasses Bertoia’s naturalistic works: abstract sculptures that suggest bushes, flower petals, leaves, dandelions or sprays of grass.
As you will see on these pages, Harry Bertoia was truly unique; his art and designs manifest a wholly singular combination of delicacy and strength.
Find vintage Harry Bertoia sculptures, armchairs, benches and other furniture and art on 1stDibs.
Sonambient
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Italian-born American artist Harry Bertoia (1915-1978), is a noted sculptor and modern furniture designer. He is arguably one of the most successful creative forces hired by Florence...
Brass, Copper
"Spray"
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A sculptor of kinetic objects, many of them with mazes of thin rods that appear brush like, Harry Bertoia was born in San Lorenzo, Italy, and came to America in 1930. In 1936, he stu...
Steel
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. This artwork is 103 x 16 x 16 inches and weighs less than 50 lbs. Ber...
Metal, Bronze, Copper
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. The artwork is 103 x 16 x 16 inches and weighs less than 50 lbs. Bert...
Metal
Willow Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Willow Sculpture" is an abstract Post War stainless steel sculpture by Harry Bertoia in c. 1970-79. The artwork is 61 1/2 x 39 x 39 in. Betroia's work creates a dynamic, flowing c...
Stainless Steel
$60,000Sale Price|52% Off
Untitled (Suspended Willow)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A sculpture by Harry Bertoia. "Untitled (Suspended Willow)" is an abstract, steel and steel wire sculpture by Post War artist Harry Bertoia. The willow form is one of Harry Bertoia's...
Steel, Wire
Brutalist Abstract Nail Sculpture in the Style of Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Brutalist Abstract Nail sculpture comprised of hundreds of hand welded flat nails with a rusticated patina. Would be great as a fireplace scree...
Steel
Harry Bertoia Melt Pressed Bronze Figural Sculpture, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
A figurative vertical form with two protrusions on top constructed of melt pressed bronze (heated numerous times, squeezed, and shaped. Includes provenance and hand-signed COA from t...
Bronze
Spray
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Harry Bertoia Spray 1979 (year completed) Steel wire, bronze 37 h x 13 dia in. Sold with a certificate of authenticity from the Harry Bertoia Foundation and a...
Bronze, Steel
$1,900
H 7.75 in W 9.5 in D 3.25 in
Henge, sculpture by Kerry Green, copper, bronze, abstract, figures, metal sculpt
By Kerry Green
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Henge, sculpture by Kerry Green, copper, bronze, abstract, figures, metal sculpture Since childhood, Kerry Green has always been creative; painting, drawing, sculpting, and sewing. Her family provided her with materials and encouraged her efforts. She literally grew up in her parents’ art galleries, and with them toured the U.S., Europe, Mexico, Japan, and New Zealand, seeing museums and visiting artists’ studios. Growing up in Arizona and New Mexico gave her the opportunity to explore the Native reservations there where she has made life-long friendships. Several of her very early influences were Dr. Harry Wood...
Bronze, Copper
$6,451
H 39.38 in W 31.89 in
Moon by Frédérique Domergue - Abstract painting and wall sculpture, original
By Frédérique Domergue
Located in Paris, FR
Moon is a unique painting and wall sculpture by French contemporary artist Frédérique Domergue. This artwork is made with polished pink copper leaves on metal frame, dimensions are 1...
Metal, Bronze, Copper
$3,750
H 28.5 in W 9 in D 6 in
Ode to the Ancient Monarch aluminum sculpture by James C. Myford
Located in Hudson, NY
This work is aluminum on a black slate base, measuring 28.5" x 9" x 6". Myford's interest in aluminum began in 1970 when he attended a workshop sponsored by Alcoa at the Art Center ...
Slate, Metal
Al 4 Blocks aluminum, in 4 parts
By Carl Andre
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Carl Andre Al 4 Blocks aluminum, in 4 parts Each 2 x 7 5/8 x 4 in. (5.1 x 19.4 x 10.2 cm.), overall 2 x 15 1/4 x 8 inches (5.1 x 38.7 x 20.3 cm.) Executed in 2008, this work is accom...
Metal
$6,189
H 28.75 in Dm 13.39 in
Close to Heart 1 & 2 - Wood sculpture by Zlata Kornilova
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Close to Heart 1 & 2 Limited edition of 12 (each sculpture) Dimensions: - Close to heart 1 (black): H. 73. x D. 34 cm - Close to heart 2 (natural): H. 82. x D. 22 cm Medi...
Steel
Garden Party - Mixed Media Sculptural Artwork
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kristina Fjellman, a Minnesota-based visual artist and performer, seamlessly blends sculpture and performance art in her captivating work. With exhib...
Steel, Wire
$41,848
H 14.18 in W 8.08 in D 3.55 in
Great Niçoise Compression of Different Metals Fixed on Wood Panel Wall Sculpture
By César Baldaccini
Located in Paris, FR
1970 Compression of different metals, fixed on panel Signed, dated and situated in black felt marker at the bottom left side “César 1970 Nice” Referenced in the Durand-Ruel Archives under No. 985 Unique artwork accompanied by the certificate from the Durand-Ruel Archives H. 36 cm W. 20,5 cm D. 9 cm Dimensions with panel: H. 60 cm W. 45,2 cm D. 4,8 cm His parents, Omer and Leila Baldaccini, Italian of Tuscan origin, had a bar in Marseilles, where César was born in 1921 in the popular district of la Belle-de-Mai, at No. 71 rue Loubon, in the center. “I am basically an absolute autodidact,” he says. He first worked at his father’s, before attending in 1935 the courses of the School of Fine Arts in his hometown with his classmate Raymond Normand and, in 1943, the National School of Fine Arts in Paris with Michel Guino, Albert Féraud, Daniel David and Philippe Hiquily, like him in the studio of Marcel Gimond...
Metal
Abstract IV
By Christian Hootsell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Christian Hootsell was born in Mississippi and resides in Dallas, TX. While touring museums early in life, Hootsell became fascinated with metal sculpture and was inspired by the wo...
Steel
$525
H 35.44 in W 24.41 in D 6.7 in
Sculpture A16 Projection and vibration - Medaglini
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Sculpture A16 Projection and vibration - Medaglini (1939-2011) Drawn iron and cast iron base H90xW62xD17 Signed on the base Circa 1975 490€
Steel
$16,562
H 60 in W 72 in D 6 in
Stunning wall installation of bright blue butterflies
By Paul Villinski
Located in London, GB
Paul Villinski is an American sculptor widely known for transforming littered cans from the city streets into large-scale, abstract installations of life-like butterflies. Over three...
Metal, Wire
$4,400
H 34 in W 19 in D 6 in
James Bearden Large Scale Brutalist Owl Sculpture from His "Animal Series"
By James Bearden
Located in Dallas, TX
Amazing large scale brutalist owl sculpture with glass eyes and beautiful enamel coloration by renowned Iowa abstract artist James Anthony Bearden from his Animal Series. We also hav...
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Steel
$16,727
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
Bookshelf 60 Minimalist black aluminum Shelf by Donald Judd
By Donald Judd
Located in Zug, CH
DONALD JUDD (1928-1994) Bookshelf 60 2017 Traffic black, RAL 9017 100 x 100 x 50 cm 39.37 x 39.37 x 19.69 inches Inscribed "Donald Judd TM
Metal
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. This artwork is 48 x 15.75 x 8 inches and weighs 45 lbs. Bertoia was enthra...
Metal
Untitled (SoundingSculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. This artwork is 56.25 x 10 x 10 inches and weighs 45 lbs. Bertoia was...
Metal
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970s. This artwork is 77 x 11 x 11 inches and weighs 47 lbs. Bertoia was e...
Metal
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract sculpture by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. The artwork is 40.5 x 8 x 8 inches and weighs 15 lbs. Bertoia was enthralled by mus...
Stainless Steel