“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.
Malitte Seating System by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1966 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 Materials: polyurethane foam; slightly elastic fabric Pugi RG. Upholstery available in different fabrics and colours. Please note ...
Fabric, Foam
Sacco Alato Bronze Armchair by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1971 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 This “functional work of art” represents in an exemplary way the concept of Ultramobile, operation conceived by Dino Gavina in 1971 with the aim of adapting in a surprising way the surrealist object to daily use. Sacco Alato was born in foundry while making Margarita, casting a bag of concrete and splitting it in two. Lacking any other props, the big road rocks provided the feet for this seat/sculpture. Almost 50 years after the first prototypes and the very few works produced by Simon International, the re-edition of Sacco Alato in the historical...
Bronze
Margarita Bronze Armchair by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1971 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 This “functional work of art” represents in an exemplary way the concept of Ultramobile, operation conceived by Dino Gavina in 1971 with the aim of adapting in a surprising way the surrealist object to daily use. Margarita was cast in bronze the first time to fix an idea: it is a petrol can, opened up like a daisy, a barrel turned into a tribal throne. Almost 50 years after the first prototypes and the very few works produced by Simon International, the re-edition of Margarita in the historical bronze...
Bronze
Malitte Outdoor Seating System by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1966 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 The outdoor version of Malitte by Surrealist artist Roberto Matta. Materials: polyurethane for outdoor use, Ginostra fabric by MARI...
Fabric, Foam
$4,650Sale Price|25% Off
1970s MAgriTTA Chair Roberto Matta for Simon Gavina Editions, Italy, 1970
By Roberto Matta, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Camden, ME
"Roberto Matta designed this chair as a tribute to his friend and fellow surrealist painter René Magritte. The apple and black bowler hat are derived from Magritte's 1946 self-portra...
Foam, Polyester
Roberto Matta for Gavina “Malitte” Modular Seating System
By Gavina, Roberto Matta
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Included in the permanent collection of MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City: "Malitte is a seating system, an ever-changing composition of f...
Textile, Foam
Margarita Aluminium Armchair by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1971 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 This “functional work of art” represents in an exemplary way the concept of Ultramobile, operation conceived by Dino Gavina in 1971...
Aluminum
Sacco Alato Aluminium Armchair by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1971 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 This “functional work of art” represents in an exemplary way the concept of Ultramobile, operation conceived by Dino Gavina in 1971...
Aluminum
Alidor resin armchair by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Between art and design, the Alidor armchair by Surrealist artist Roberto Matta has a resin structure and a biomorphic cushion. Limited edition 25/1000 with engraved number and artis...
Resin
Malitte Outdoor Seating System by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Roberto Matta, Paradisoterrestre
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1966 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 The outdoor version of Malitte by Surrealist artist Roberto Matta. Materials: polyurethane for outdoor use, Quercia fabric by MARIA...
Fabric, Foam
Amatta armchair by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition 2024
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Amatta is a resin armchair with sinuous, fluid, soft and rounded lines, created in 1974 by Roberto Matta. He cuddled up in the Amatta and shaped it through his own body. The armcha...
Resin
Malitte Seating System by Roberto Matta Paradisoterrestre Edition
By Paradisoterrestre, Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Designed in 1966 - Paradisoterrestre Edition 2019 Materials: polyurethane foam; slightly elastic fabric Kvadrat Divina 3 Upholstery available in different fabrics and colours. Plea...
Fabric, Foam
Roberto Matta for Gavina, Modular Sofa, 1966
By Roberto Matta
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Roberto Matta, signed. Gavina, edited by. Modular sofa, “Malitte” model, composed of five seats in thermoformed foam, cut out and covered with black and white woolen cloth. G...
Fabric
$4,449 / set
H 24.02 in W 22.05 in D 17.33 in
Set of 4 Pigreco Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Roma, IT
Fabulous set of four "Pigreco" chairs. These iconic chairs were designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Gavina in Italy in the 1960s. This stylish chairs feature a stunnin...
Faux Leather, Wood
$2,885 / set
H 28.75 in W 17.72 in D 16.93 in
Mid-Century set of "Tulu" Chairs by Kazhuide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy '68
By Simon Gavina Editions, Kazuhide Takahama
Located in Sacile, PN
Set of four "Tulu" chairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina Studio Simon, 1968. This set is for the first series because is without the crossbar on the front of the seat. New foa...
Metal, Chrome
$6,012 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 36.23 in
Italian Mid-Century Modular Sofa or Seating Set in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and production, fully...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$7,214
H 24.02 in W 21.66 in D 16.93 in
Tobia Scarpa, Set of four Pigreco wooden Chairs for Gavina, Italy (1959)
By Gavina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
The Pigreco chair was designed by the famous Italian architect Tobia Scarpa in 1959 for the Gavina company. This is an extremely important work in Scarpa's artistic career, in fact i...
Leather, Wood
$1,070 / item
H 44.1 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Black laquered and leather chair “Kazuki” by K. Takahama for Simon Gavina 70's
By Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Padova, IT
Kazuhide Takahama - Nobeoka 1930 - Bologna 2010 - was a Japanese architect and designer. Takahama, born in 1930, he studied architecture in Tokyo and after graduating he joined the ...
Leather, Wood
$456
H 31.89 in W 20.87 in D 21.26 in
Chair model "Jano" design Kazuide Takahama For Simon Gavina, 1970s
By Gavina, Kazuhide Takahama
Located in taranto, IT
Rare chair model jano design kazuide takahama for Simon gavina , 1970s Structure in tubular steel and seat and back upholstery in fabric Height 81 cm, width 53 cm, depth 54 cm...
Steel
1 Steelcase Modular Seating Group Lounge
By Steelcase
Located in Pasadena, TX
Turnstone for Steelcase Jenny Collection Designed with posture and a better sitting experience in mind, Jenny Modular seating provides ultimate comfort...
Wood
William Andrus Steelcase #465 Soft Seating Sofa
By William Andrus
Located in Pasadena, TX
William Andrus steelcase #465 soft seating sofa Classic early 1970s sofa designed by William C. Andrus for Steelcase Soft Seating Group. The cream ...
Fiberglass, Lucite
$41,871Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 157.49 in D 118.12 in
Acerbis Free System Sofa by Claudio Salocchi
By Claudio Salocchi, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 1973, Claudio Salocchi designed Free System: a system of padded furniture deriving from the concept of “operated flooring”, or tatami, where the padded units could be placed freely side by side. With its completely modular and sectional elements and from the perspective of an optimal use of space, we can view Free System as the embodiment of the modern house utopia. A programme of padded furniture that goes beyond the sofa model, Free System presents a series of elements (tatami, pouf and seat with different and interchangeable backrests) that make up a modular system that can be arranged in a variety of combinations. Available elements _ seat module with curved backrest: L100 D100 H74, seat H39 cm; _ seat module with inclined backrest: L100 D100 H74, seat H39 cm; _ pouf module...
Upholstery
$10,221
H 27.96 in W 120.48 in D 29.93 in
George Nelson, Modular Sofa and Table Seating System, 1966 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Munster, NRW
George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s, United States. Very fine Modular §seater sofa by George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. This sofa has a metal frame with square chro...
Steel, Chrome
$9,018 / set
H 44.1 in W 23.63 in D 9.85 in
Set of 8 mod. Rennie by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, 1970
By Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Stunning set composed by 8 chairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama and produced for Simon Gavina. Original lacquered wood structure with leather cover and seat. Perfect vintage conditi...
Leather, Wood
$15,985 / item
H 11.47 in W 37.8 in D 13.95 in
Customizable Tacchini Victoria Modular System by David Nicolas
By Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for COM Lebanese design duo David/Nicolas are behind this modular system comprising armchairs, corner sofas, chaises longues and ottomans...
Textile
Odisseano wooden chair by Roberto Matta, late 1960s
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Anthropomorphic carved wooden chair/sculpture, designed by Roberto Matta in the late Sixties and produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces for Sanluca Gallery (Bologna). This piece...
Wood
Sold
H 63 in W 63 in D 25.99 in
Modular Seating System "Malitte" by Roberto Matta for Gavina, Italy, 1960s
By Roberto Matta
Located in Brussels, BE
Modular seating system " Malitte" by Roberto Matta for Gavina, Italy, 1960s - new upholstery.
Upholstery
“Malitte” Seating System by Roberto Sebastián Matta, Italy 1966
By Gavina, Roberto Matta
Located in Chicago, IL
An organic, modular 5-piece collection of polyurethane foam shapes that function as a seating arrangement and also assemble into a sculptural block. Designed by Roberto Matta (Chilea...
Foam, Fabric
Sold
H 43 in W 63 in D 25 in
Iconic Knoll International Malitte Lounge Sectional Set by Roberto Matta, 1966
By Gavina, Knoll, Roberto Matta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic Knoll International Malitte seating sectional set by Roberto Matta, 1960. Roberto Sebastian Matta, who initially trained as an architect in his native Santiago, is best known as an abstract Expressionist and surrealist painter. After completing his studies and moving to Paris, he worked briefly in the studio of famed architect Le Corbusier. His interests soon moved towards painting and he joined the circles of Salvador Dali, André Breton, and René Magritte. Matta later met Dino Gavina, who invited the painter to design a piece of furniture for Gavina SpA. The resulting Malitte Lounge...
Wool
Chair by Roberto Sebastian Antonio Matta, 1970
By Roberto Matta
Located in Berlin, DE
Exceptional, anthropomorphic chair by renowned artist Roberto Matta made of exotic wood. Manufactured by Alessandro Palma Branding 'Etruscludens Tarquinia' Measures: Seating heigh...
Wood
Roberto Matta, Magritta Lounge Chair, Gavina, 1970s
By Gavina, Roberto Matta
Located in Uppsala, SE
Roberto Matta designed this chair 1970 as a tribute to his friend and fellow surrealist painter René Magritte. The apple and black bowler hat are two of Magritte’s trademarks, derive...
Fabric, Fiberglass, Polystyrene
Rare Malitte Sofa by Roberto Matta for Knoll
By Roberto Matta
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Rare Malitte sofa by Roberto Matta for Knoll circa late 1960s. This example is all original in its navy and vibrant green. This iconic seating arrangement...
Sold
H 24 in W 64 in D 66 in
Mid-Century Modern Modular Foam Sofa Sectional Set Roberto Matta Malitte Knoll
By Knoll, Roberto Matta
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a unique, modular, foam sofa set, "Malitte" cushion system by Roberto Matta for Knoll in the 1960s. Pieces combine to become a com...
Magritta Chair by Roberto Sebastian Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Vienna, AT
Magritta chair by the artist/designer Roberto Sebastian Matta. Conceived as an homage to René Magritte. Iconic original from the 1970. Good condition...
Sold
H 62.21 in W 64.97 in D 25.6 in
'Malitte' Seating Arrangement by Roberto Sebastian Matta for Gavina
By Roberto Matta
Located in Milan, IT
A highly sculptural and versatile seating arrangement designed by Roberto Sebastian Matta (1911-2002) in 1966 for the Italian furniture produce...
Rare Malitte Sofa by Roberto Matta
By Roberto Matta
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Rare Malitte sofa by Roberto Matta circa late 1960′s. This late 1960′s example is all original in its stunning black and vibrant green. This iconic seatin...
Upholstery