“The function of art,” the Surrealist Roberto Matta once stated, “is to unveil the enormous economic, cultural and emotional forces that materially interact in our lives and that constitute the real space in which we live.” In his paintings, Matta sought to expose those forces through the Surrealist practice of automatism, creating work in a free-associative state intended to conjure the unconscious.
After studying architecture in his native Chile, Matta, then 22, chose to pursue the field in Paris, where he mingled with stars of the avant-garde like Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dalí and Walter Gropius. In the late 1930s, he abandoned Paris, together with his job at Le Corbusier’s studio and (for a time) his career, for modern art’s new epicenter, New York City. There, he became a colleague of art legends like Marcel Duchamp and Arshile Gorky.
Although celebrated primarily for his work as a painter, Matta was an equally talented furniture designer. His furniture pieces, like his artworks, are the stuff of dreams. The back of his totem chair, for example, is composed of smiling, cartoonish creatures stacked on top of each other. In his MAgriTTA armchair, the top half of a plush green apple sticks out of large black bowler in homage to its namesake, the Belgian Surrealist René Magritte.
But perhaps the piece that most truly embodies his artistic philosophy is his 1966 Mallite modular system: a collection of spongy, undulating sofas and lounges that can be fitted together to form a puzzle-like room divider. The work, an original edition of which is in MoMA’s permanent collection, has in recent decades been a hard-to-find collectors’ item — until 2019, when Italian design brand Paradisoterrestre issued a reedition, available through Duplex.
Browse Roberto Matta's paintings and furniture designs on 1stDibs.
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
Sans Titre
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Sans Titre" 1968, is an original color lithograph on Arches paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is hand signed and numbered 30/...
Lithograph
De trace de pas de trace de…
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairlawn, OH
De trace de pas de trace de… Color etching with aquatint, 1966 From: Monsour and Matta, Les Damnations, 1966 (11 plates, this one of 7 hors text images) Edition: 85 portfolios in the...
Etching, Aquatint
Matta.Entretiens... - Rare Book illustrated by Roberto Matta - 1987
By Roberto Matta
Located in Roma, IT
G. Ferrari, Matta. Entretiens Morphologiques. Notebook N°1, 1936-1944 , First Edition, Sistan, London 1987. In this book, there is an original lithograph by Matta, hand-signed and n...
Paper
Roberto Matta La Dulce Aqua Vita
By Roberto Matta
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Roberto Matta Title: La Dulce Aqua Vita Medium: Carborundum Etching on Handmade Paper Signed: Hand Signed Edition Number: 28/125 Measurements: 47" x 41" Year: 2002 Publ...
Carborundum Etching
Max Clarac-Serou vous presente ses meilleurs voeux, Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - Max Clarac-Serou vous presente ses meilleurs voeux, Year: 1960, Medium: Etching on laid paper, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 7/50, ...
Etching
$2,800
10PM from L'Arc Obscur des Heures, Surrealist Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - 10PM from L'Arc Obscur des Heures, Year: 1975, Medium: Etching with Aquatint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 89/125, Image Size: 1...
Etching, Aquatint
"Centre Noeuds" planche #5
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #5, 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is...
Aquatint
$8,500
La Une a L'h Pile (Head to Head), Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
An early large-scale work by Chilean artist Roberto Matta. In this black-and-white surrealist piece, various figures can be seen in various acts. Signed and numbered in pencil. This edition is not from the Arabic numbered edition of 40. La Une a L’h Pile (Head to...
Etching, Aquatint
"Centre Noeuds" planche #3
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #3 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is ...
Aquatint
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
The Voices
By Roberto Matta
Located in Paris, FR
Etching and aquatint, 1964 Edition : 9/24 Publisher : Le Point Cardinal (Paris) Printer : Georges Visat (Paris) Catalog : [Sabatier 1975 68.121] 32.50 cm. x 25.50 cm. 12.8 in. x 10....
Etching, Aquatint
$1,200
Droites Liberees II, Abstract Expressionist Etching & Aquatint by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - Droites Liberees II, Year: 1971, Medium: Etching and Aquatint on Japon, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 73/100, Image Size: 8.5 x 6...
Etching, Aquatint
Raising A Glass, Surrealist Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - Raising A Glass, Year: circa 1943, Medium: Etching, Image Size: 9.75 x 8 inches, Size: 15 x 11.75 in. (38.1 x 29.85 cm), Reference: Unrecorde...
Etching
Cosmicstrip I, Aquatint Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Cosmicstrip I by Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911–2002) Date: 1959 Etching, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 21/50 Image Size: 14.75 x 19.25 inches Frame Size: 23.75 x 28 inches ...
Etching, Aquatint
The Voices
By Roberto Matta
Located in Paris, FR
Etching and aquatint, 1964 Edition : 9/24 Publisher : Le Point Cardinal (Paris) Printer : Georges Visat (Paris) 32.50 cm. x 25.50 cm. 12.8 in. x 10.04 in. (paper) 28.50 cm. x 22.00 ...
Etching, Aquatint
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
$2,500
Ancien Victorieux je te morphose from Hom'mere I (Chaosmos) by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) Title: Ancien Victorieux Je te morphose from Hom'mere (Chaosmos) Year: 1974 Medium: Etching with Aquatint on Arches, Signed and Numbered ...
Etching, Aquatint
The New School, Surrealist Suite of 10 etchings by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - The New School, Year: 1943, Medium: Suite of 10 etchings, lacking cover sheet, Image Size: 7.75 x 6 inches, Size: 15 x 11.75 in. (38.1 x 29.8...
Etching
$9,000
Surrealist Figure in Space-scape, Surrealist Wax Crayon Drawing by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 -2002) - Surrealist Figure in Space-scape, Year: 1956, Medium: Wax Crayon on paper, unsigned, Size: 13 x 10 in. (33.02 x 25.4 cm), Frame Size: 20.5 x...
Wax Crayon
Cosmicstrip III, Aquatint Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Cosmicstrip III by Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911–2002) Date: 1959 Etching, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 21/50 Image Size: 14.75 x 19.25 inches Frame Size: 23.75 x 28 inche...
Etching, Aquatint
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
Tout se Tient - Lithograph by Roberto Sebastian Matta - 1975
By Roberto Matta
Located in Roma, IT
T'ou't se tient is an Artwork realized in 1975 by Roberto Sebastián Antonio Matta Echaurren (Santiago, Chile, 1911 - Civitavecchia, Italy, 2002). Colored Litograph on paper.Realize...
Lithograph
L'eau est Mana, Surrealist Lithograph by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - L'eau est Mana, Year: 1974, Medium: Lithograph on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 50/200, Image Size: 21.5 x 30 inche...
Lithograph
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
Les Manifestes du Surrealisme, Surrealist Two Etchings by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 -2002) - Les Manifestes du Surrealisme Diptych, Year: 1946, Medium: Two Etchings, titled in the plate, Edition: 58, Image Size: 5.5 x 4 inches, Size:...
Etching
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
DRIOTE LIBEREES
By Roberto Matta
Located in Wilton, CT
Roberto Antonio (Echaurren) Matta (1911 - 2002) "Driote Liberees" Etching & Aquatint on Japon Nacré Paper. Signed in pencil and numbered 73/100. Published and printed by Georges Visat...
Etching, Aquatint
Attulima, Surrealist Lithograph by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - Attulima, Year: 1954, Medium: Lithograph, Edition: 211, Image Size: 10.75 x 8.5 inches, Size: 10.75 x 17 in. (27.31 x 43.18 cm), Publisher: E...
Lithograph
Centre Noeuds
By Roberto Matta
Located in Paris, FR
Etching, 1974 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annotated ea 14/15 Publisher : Georges Visat (Paris) 60.50 cm. x 45.00 cm. 23.82 in. x 17.72 in. (paper) 35.50 cm. x 26.50 cm. ...
Etching
Centre Noeuds
By Roberto Matta
Located in Paris, FR
Etching, 1974 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annotated ea 14/15 Publisher : Georges Visat (Paris) 60.50 cm. x 45.00 cm. 23.82 in. x 17.72 in. (paper) 35.50 cm. x 26.50 cm. ...
Etching
$4,850
Ma Chair Rie from Requiem pour La Fin des Temps, Etching/Pastel by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
A unique hand-colored proof aside from the regular signed and numbered edition. The print has the publisher's ink stamp and hand-written authenticity on the verso. Artist: Rober...
Aquatint, Etching, Pastel
MATTA - 10 EROTIC ETCHINGS - New School Portfolio
By Roberto Matta
Located in Santa Monica, CA
ROBERTO MATTA (Chilean 1911- 2002) NEW SCHOOL PORTFOLIO (1943-5) (Sabatier 1-7, 4 prints not recorded by Sabatier) Portfolio with complete set of 10 etchings plus the title page e...
Etching
original lithograph
By Roberto Matta
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in Paris by Mourlot and published by Pierre à Feu and Maeght Editeur for the Marcel Duchamp / André Breton project Surréalisme en 1947. Issued in...
Lithograph
Tout se Tient - Lithograph by R.S. Matta - 1975
By Roberto Matta
Located in Roma, IT
T'ou't se tient is a print realized by the Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta (1911-2002). This color lithograph on wove paper, was edited by the French magazine "XXe Siécle",...
Lithograph
$200Sale Price|20% Off
1975 Roberto Matta 'T'ou't se tient' Contemporary France Lithograph
By Roberto Matta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paper Size: 12.25 x 9.5 inches ( 31.115 x 24.13 cm ) Image Size: 12.25 x 9.5 inches ( 31.115 x 24.13 cm ) Framed: No Condition: A-: Near Mint, very light signs of handling Addi...
Lithograph
COSI FAN TUTTE
By Roberto Matta
Located in New York, NY
color etching and aquatint. Edition 1/100 Fantastical Surreal Fantasy
Etching, Aquatint
"T'ou't se tient" original lithograph
By Roberto Matta
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Issued in 1975 for XXe Siecle (issue no. 45), published in Paris by San Lazzaro. Sheet size 12 1/8 x 9 1/2 inches (310 x 240mm). Not signed.
Lithograph
Des-Monstration, Surrealist Etching with Aquatint by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Des-Monstration is an etching and aquatint on wove paper mounted to card backed with silk by Chilean-French Surrealist artist Roberto Matta (1911 - 2002), dated 1980, edition 34/70. ...
Etching
The Mind Beatens, Original Pencil Drawing in Colors, 1957
By Roberto Matta
Located in Aventura, FL
Original color drawing on paper. Hand signed lower front by Roberto Matta. Image size 12 x 16 inches. Frame size approx 23.25 x 27.5 inches. Artwork is in overall excellent co...
Paper, Color Pencil
$1,050
Or Dur Or Aison, Lithograph, Contemporary, Hand Signed, Edition of 175, 1976
By Roberto Matta
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Artwork is in excellent condition. Additional images are available upon request. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Edition of 175. All...
Lithograph, Paper
Hecatombe de Toros
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Hecatombe de Toros" 1971, is an original color lithograph on Arches paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is hand signed and numb...
Lithograph
The Voices
By Roberto Matta
Located in Paris, FR
Etching and aquatint, 1964 Edition : 9/24 Publisher : Le Point Cardinal (Paris) Printer : Georges Visat (Paris) Catalog : [Sabatier 1975 68.123] 32.50 cm. x 25.50 cm. 12.8 in. x 10....
Etching, Aquatint
"Centre Noeuds" planche #9
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #9, 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is...
Aquatint
Roberto Matta Portfolio of 11 etchings and aquatint
By Roberto Matta
Located in Indianapolis, IN
This portfolio of eleven (11) etchings with aquatint by Roberta Matta was created in 1966. The portfolio (with fine art pritnts and text) was created in an edition of 75 plus proof...
Etching, Aquatint
Hecatombe de Toros
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Hecatombe de Toros" 1971, is an original color lithograph on Arches paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is hand signed and numb...
Lithograph
La Dulce Aqua Vita, Signed Surrealist Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
"La Dulce Aqua Vita" means the "Sweet Water of Life". In this colorful print, Chilean Surrealist, Roberto Matta's surreal figure turns an urn upside-down to pour out the magical wate...
Handmade Paper, Etching
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
"Centre Noeuds" planche #7
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #7, 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is...
Aquatint
"Centre Noeuds" planche #2
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #2, 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is...
Aquatint
La Danse de la Mort, Surrealist Suite of 8 Aquatint Etchings by Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) Title: La Danse de la Mort - Planche 1-8 Year: 1972 Medium: Suite of 8 Aquatint Etchings, Each Signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 41/...
Etching, Aquatint
$880Sale Price|20% Off
FOG, GOG, AND MAGOG
By Roberto Matta
Located in Santa Monica, CA
ROBERTO MATTA (1911-2002) FOG, GOG, AND MAGOG 1971 Color lithograph. Plate 1 from “Fog Gog, and Magog” 1971. Signed in pencil and numbered. This work is number 92 from the edition o...
Lithograph
"Centre Noeuds" planche #8
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #8 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is ...
Aquatint
$1,600
I Want To See It To Believe It, Signed Surrealist Lithograph by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
"I want to See it to Believe it" is a lithograph by Chilean/Surrealist artist Roberto Matta (1911-2002), dated 1947, edition 43/70, from the Brunidor Portfolio. The work depicts a gr...
Pencil, Lithograph
Sans Titre, Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
This raucous scene by Latin American Surrealist Roberto Matta shows leaping nude figures flying through the air above what look like boulders. Their bodies are warped and stretched a...
Etching, Aquatint
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393), Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Roberto Matta (1912-2002) Title: Centre Noeuds (Sabatier 393) Year: 1974 Edition: 38/125, plus proofs Medium: Etching on Arches paper Size: 23.875 x 17.5 inches Inscription: ...
Etching
L'ame du Tarot de Theleme Portfolio of 5 Aquatint Etchings by Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roberto Matta Portfolio: L'ame du Tarot de Theleme Year: 1994 Medium: Portfolio of Five Aquatint Etchings, each signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100, XX Image Size: 19....
Aquatint, Etching
Ça A by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in New York, NY
Artist: Roberto Matta Medium: Lithograph, E.A. Signed, Edition of 100, 1976 Dimensions: 22 x 30 in, 55.9 x 76.2 cm
Lithograph
"Centre Noeuds" planche #10
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #10, 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It i...
Aquatint
Tout se Tient - Lithograph by Roberto Sebastian Matta - 1975
By Roberto Matta
Located in Roma, IT
T'ou't se tient is an Artwork realized in 1975 by Roberto Sebastián Antonio Matta Echaurren (Santiago, Chile, 1911 - Civitavecchia, Italy, 2002). Colored Litograph on paper.Realize...
Lithograph