Roberto Matta Chairs

Chilean, 1911-2002

“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.

Creator: Roberto Matta

1970s MAgriTTA Chair Roberto Matta for Simon Gavina Editions, Italy, 1970

$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...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Foam, Polyester

Gufram MAgriTTA Green Lounge Chair / Sculptural Seating by Roberto Matta 1970

$5,270 / item

Gufram MAgriTTA Green Lounge Chair / Sculptural Seating by Roberto Matta 1970

By Gufram Furniture, Roberto Matta

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

A Surrealist Masterpiece Where Art Becomes Furniture MAgriTTA is far more than a lounge chair—it is a sculptural work of art that celebrates the poetic imagination of Surrealism thr...

Category

2010s Italian Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Other

Gufram MAgriTTA Jaune Lounge Chair / Sculptural Seating by Roberto Matta 1970

$5,270 / item

Gufram MAgriTTA Jaune Lounge Chair / Sculptural Seating by Roberto Matta 1970

By Gufram Furniture, Roberto Matta

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

A Surrealist Masterpiece Where Art Becomes Furniture MAgriTTA Jaune is far more than a lounge chair—it is a sculptural work of art that celebrates the poetic imagination of Surreali...

Category

2010s Italian Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Other

Gufram MAgriTTA Rouge Lounge Chair / Sculptural Seating by Roberto Matta 1970

$5,270 / item

Gufram MAgriTTA Rouge Lounge Chair / Sculptural Seating by Roberto Matta 1970

By Gufram Furniture, Roberto Matta

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

A Surrealist Masterpiece Where Art Becomes Furniture MAgriTTA Rouge is far more than a lounge chair—it is a sculptural work of art that celebrates the poetic imagination of Surreali...

Category

2010s Italian Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Other

Italian red lacquered wood Kazuki chairs by Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina 1969

$5,809 / set

H 41.74 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in

Italian red lacquered wood Kazuki chairs by Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina 1969

By Simon Gavina Editions, Kazuhide Takahama

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian red lacquered wood Kazuki chairs by Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina 1969. Set of four Kazuki model chairs with structure entirely in orange-red lacquered wood, with geometric...

Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Wood

Black laquered and leather chair “Kazuki” by K. Takahama for Simon Gavina 70's

$1,011 / 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 Simon Gavina Editions, Kazuhide Takahama

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 ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set 8 Stackable Chairs in Chromed & Ecru Bouclé By K. Takahama for Simon Gavina

$7,844 / set

H 28.75 in W 18.12 in D 17.92 in

Set 8 Stackable Chairs in Chromed & Ecru Bouclé By K. Takahama for Simon Gavina

By Simon Gavina Editions, Kazuhide Takahama

Located in Roma, IT

I am offering for sale a set consisting of 8 "TULU" chairs, designed in the late 60s by the Japanese designer Kazhide Takahama for the historic company Simon Gavina. The "TULU" chair...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Balance Dining Chair in White Oreo Fabric — Sculptural Seating by WOO

$2,190 / item

H 27.17 in W 25.2 in D 21.26 in

Balance Dining Chair in White Oreo Fabric — Sculptural Seating by WOO

By Dmitriy Kozinenko

Located in Kyiv, UA

In white Oreo fabric the Balance chair looks the way its inspiration feels: like smooth, sun-warmed stones balanced into a quiet tower. Designer Dmytro Kozinenko based the design on ...

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21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Steel

Postmodern Sculptural Scroll Lounge Chair

$3,450

H 34.25 in W 27.25 in D 35 in

Postmodern Sculptural Scroll Lounge Chair

By Saporiti, Marge Carson, Vittorio Introini, Olivier Mourgue, Milo Baughman

Located in Houston, TX

Postmodern sculptural scroll lounge chair. This stunning modernist lounge chair which terminates in an interesting scroll or curl design is extremely com...

Category

1980s Unknown Post-Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Ultrasuede

Mid-Century set of "Tulu" Chairs by Kazhuide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy '68

$2,728 / 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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Roberto Matta for Gavina “Malitte” Modular Seating System

$14,000

H 63 in W 63 in D 24 in

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Textile, Foam

Vintage 1970s chair model "Jano" design K. Takahama for Simon Gavina

$271Sale Price|66% Off

H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in

Vintage 1970s chair model "Jano" design K. Takahama for Simon Gavina

By Simon Gavina Editions, Kazuhide Takahama

Located in Torino, Piemonte

Chair with chrome metal frame and blue velvet upholstery, model "Jano" design Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear given b...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 8 chairs mod. Rennie by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, 1970

$6,821Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 44.1 in W 23.63 in D 9.85 in

Set of 8 chairs 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. Solid wood structure with original leather cover and seat. Perfect vintage condition P...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Radical Italian Design 1st Edition 'Attica' chairs by Studio65 for Gufram 1972

$12,000 / set

H 24.81 in Dm 28.15 in

Radical Italian Design 1st Edition 'Attica' chairs by Studio65 for Gufram 1972

By Studio 65, Gufram Furniture

Located in bergen op zoom, NL

Pair of rare 1st edition 'Attica' Chairs design by Studio65 and produced by Gufram in 1972 Part of a Greek column with the CAPITELLO lounge chair, ATTICA armchair, and ATTICA TL cof...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Foam

Gufram Alvar Lounge Chair by Giuseppe Raimondi

$5,900 / item

+ 3 more

H 25.6 in W 26.78 in D 65.36 in

Gufram Alvar Lounge Chair by Giuseppe Raimondi

By Giuseppe Raimondi, Gufram Furniture

Located in La Morra, Cuneo

Sitting on the ground, but ready to be moved elsewhere, Alvar is a chaise-lounge of structural polyurethane foam that preserves the lightness and versatility of the Sixties. After 40 years it has certainly matured in spirit, but deep in its soul it keeps its hippie attitude alive. Conceived in the years of radical design, Alvar is one of the first products with which Gufram faced the Challenge to produce modern furniture as opposed to the status quo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Resin

Tomasa Chair from Simon Gavina

$1,960Sale Price|20% Off

H 33 in W 22 in D 14 in

Tomasa Chair from Simon Gavina

By Gavina, Simon Gavina Editions

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Considered an homage to Paolo Uccello, a 15th century painter and mathematician, and manufactured by Simon Gavina in Italy, the Tomasa chair is a simple a...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Wood, Oak

Italian Modern Yellow Armchair Mod, Saghi by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1970s

$1,250

H 26.38 in W 29.14 in D 24.41 in

Italian Modern Yellow Armchair Mod, Saghi by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1970s

By Kazuhide Takahama, Gavina

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian modern yellow armchair mod. Saghi by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1970s Iconic and elegant armchair mod. Saghi with steel rod structur...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Steel

Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina Set of Three Chairs, Italy, 1970s

$1,194 / set

H 33.47 in W 21.66 in D 18.51 in

Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina Set of Three Chairs, Italy, 1970s

By Kazuhide Takahama, Studio Simon

Located in Naples, IT

Beautiful and rare set of 3 chairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy 1970s, in metallic grey velvet and steel frame, with velvet arm covers. The chairs are in goo...

Category

1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Metal

Roberto Sebastian Matta Romborecchio wooden chair, one of two unique pieces, 1970

$38,655

H 46.07 in W 16.15 in D 19.3 in

Roberto Sebastian Matta Romborecchio wooden chair, one of two unique pieces, 1970

Located in Vigevano, PV

Roberto Sebastian Matta (1911–2002), Romborecchio. A carved, molded, and patinated wooden chair with a perforated backrest. One of only two known examples. Provenance: Galleria San L...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items

Odisseano wooden chair by Roberto Matta, late 1960s

Sold

H 47.25 in W 17.72 in D 19.3 in

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Wood

Chair by Roberto Sebastian Antonio Matta, 1970

Sold

H 44.49 in W 14.57 in D 20.48 in

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...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Wood

Roberto Matta, Magritta Lounge Chair, Gavina, 1970s

Sold

H 22.05 in W 32.29 in D 37.01 in

Roberto Matta, Magritta Lounge Chair, Gavina, 1970s

By Gavina, Roberto Matta

Located in Uppsala, Uppsala

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...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass, Polystyrene

Rare Malitte Sofa by Roberto Matta for Knoll

Sold

H 64 in W 66 in D 24 in

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Magritta Chair by Roberto Sebastian Matta

Sold

H 20.47 in W 40.16 in D 34.25 in

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 ...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Roberto Matta Chairs

Roberto Matta chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Roberto Matta chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of polyester and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Roberto Matta chairs, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Roberto Matta were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Marcello Cuneo, Willy Rizzo, and Cidue. Prices for Roberto Matta chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,200 and can go as high as $4,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,200.

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Questions About Roberto Matta Chairs

What type of art did Roberto Matta do?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Roberto Matta is a painter who became a noted part of the Surrealist movement. Born Roberto Antonio Sebastian Matta Echaurren in 1922 in Santiago, Chile, the artist began his professional life as an architect and slowly switched to painting. His work often featured complex biomorphic forms in disturbing settings, making him an important influence in the post World War II era. Shop a selection of Roberto Matta pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
What kind of art did Roberto Matta do?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Chilean-born Roberto Matta is a modern art painter primarily known for his work in blending surrealism with abstract expressionism. You can shop a selection of expertly vetted Fairfield Porter pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.