“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.
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
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
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
La Dulce Aqua Vita, Surrealist Etching, Hand Signed
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: 96/125 Measurements: 47" x 41" Year: 2002 Publ...
Carborundum Etching
"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
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
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
$2,800Sale 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
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
1980 exhibition poster by Roberto Matta for the Galerie Samy Kinge
By Roberto Matta
Located in PARIS, FR
This 1980 exhibition poster, designed by the legendary Chilean artist Roberto Matta for the Galerie Samy Kinge, is a striking representation of his unique artistic vision. Known for ...
Paper, Lithograph
"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
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
"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
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
$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) 32.50 cm. x 25.50 cm. 12.8 in. x 10.04 in. (paper) 28.50 cm. x 22.00 ...
Etching, 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
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
$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
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
$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
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
$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
$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
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
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
$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
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
COSI FAN TUTTE
By Roberto Matta
Located in New York, NY
color etching and aquatint. Edition 1/100 Fantastical Surreal Fantasy
Etching, Aquatint
$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
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
$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
$1,366
Original poster of Roberto Matta - May 68 : Disciples occupy the discipline
By Roberto Matta
Located in PARIS, FR
Original poster of Roberto Matta created in May 68, with the slogan: Disciples occupy the discipline. For a revolutionary discipline. Born on November 11, ...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
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
$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
Totem, Surrealist Lithograph with Hand-Coloring by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - Totem, Year: 1955-56, Medium: Lithograph with Hand-Coloring, Image Size: 25.5 x 18 inches, Size: 26 x 18.75 in. (66.04 x 47.63 cm), Frame S...
Lithograph
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
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
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
"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
$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 #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
$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 #1
By Roberto Matta
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Centre Noeuds" plate #1, 1974, is an original color etching with aquatint on Japan nacre paper by renown Chilean artist Roberto Sebastian Matta, 1911-2002. It is...
Aquatint
Nymphee, Surrealist Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
"Nymphee" is a colorful Roberto Matta etching from his Requiem pour la Fin des Temps suite. The print is signed and numbered (44/100) in pencil w...
Etching, 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
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
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Or dur or aison
By Roberto Matta
Located in New York, NY
Signed, titled, and numbered edition 15 of 175
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 #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
$3,000
12 AM from L'Arc Obscur des Heures, Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) Title: 12 AM from L'Arc Obscur des Heures Year: 1975 Medium: Aquatint Etching, Signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 51/125, XXXIII Imag...
Etching, 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
"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
10 AM from L'Arc Obscur des Heures, Surrealist Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) Title: 10 AM from L'Arc Obscur des Heures Year: 1975 Medium: Aquatint Etching, Signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 125 Image Size: 19....
Etching, Aquatint
Par La Bait Naitre, Surrealist Etching by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) - Par La Bait Naitre, Year: 1946, Medium: Etching on Hollande Van Gelder, Edition: 58, Image Size: 5.25 x 3.75 inches, Size: 7.25 x 6 in. (18.4...
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 67.118] 32.50 cm. x 25.50 cm. 12.8 in. x 10....
Etching, Aquatint
Epaisser de haut-mer, Framed Surrealist Aquatint Etching by Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roberto Matta, Chilean (1911 - 2002) Title: Epaisser de haut-mer from Hom'mere II - L'Eautre Year: 1974-75 Medium: Aquatint Etching on Japon, Signed and numbered in pencil Ed...
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