“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.
Roberto Matta El Verbo America folder with 6 color lithographs, 1987
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
El Verbo America by Roberto Matta is a folder with 6 color lithographs on Arches paper Edition: 100 copies from 1 to 100 + XXV H.C. La Bezuga, Florence; 1987 “Seeing the Word that...
Paper
Roberto Matta Hom'mère - N'où's folder with 20 etchings, 1985
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Hom’mère – N’où’s by Roberto Matta is a folder with 10 etchings on Arches paper + 10 etchings on Japòn paper Edition: 100 signed and numbered copies from 1 to 100 + XXV H.C. Sista...
Paper
Roberto Matta, Aquatint, 1970s "Come detta dentro vo significado" No35
By Roberto Matta
Located in Stockholm, SE
Robero Matta ( Chille 1911-2002), aquatint VI/VI no 35 from "Come detta dentro vo significado". Signed Matta. Framed. in good condition. Paper with smaller signs of age and wear.
Paper
Roberto Matta "Look At The Heart Of The World" Circa 1965 Etching 2/50
By Roberto Matta
Located in Atlanta, GA
Roberto Matta (Chilean, 1911–2002) Look At The Heart Of The World (Vois Au Coeur Du Monde), circa 1965 Etching with aquatint, with hand-applied color accents, the composition present...
Paper
Roberto Matta Musik-Foot artist’s book with 8 lithographs, 1990
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Musik-Foot by Roberto Matta is an artist’s book with 8 lithographs. Edition: 100 + XXV La Bezuga, Florence; 1990 Artist’s book with hard cover and collage. Printed entirely on han...
Paper
Roberto Matta Qui d'Eux folder with 10 color lithographs, 1990
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Qui d’Eux by Roberto Matta is a folder with 10 color lithographs on Vélin d’Arches 270 gr paper and a text by Matta Edition: 100 signed and numbered copies from 1 to 100 + XV copies...
Paper
Roberto Matta Le Verbo Hommérica folder with 6 signed and numbered etchings 1987
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Le Verbo Hommérica by Roberto Matta is a folder with 6 signed and numbered etchings on Japon nacré paper Edition: 100 copies numbered from 1 to 100 + 35 HC numbered I-XXV L’Inédite...
Paper
Roberto Matta Don Qui folder with 15 color + 10 black and white lithographs 1985
By Roberto Matta
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Don Qui by Roberto Matta is a folder with 15 color + 10 black and white lithographs Edition: 100 copies Sistan, Lugano; 1985 In the text that accompanies the Don Qui lithographs...
Paper
Selection of Large Joan Miro Color Lithographs
By (after) Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro large color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple that l...
Glass, Wood, Paper
50 of the World's Best Apartments Coffee Table Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Is apartment living the way of the future? According to some, it's the only way to live. For most apartment-dwellers, beautiful views, functional floor plans, low maintenance and convenient, inner-city locations far outweigh the attributes of the traditional quarter-acre suburban block. This book presents, through text, superb floor photographs and floor plans, 50 of the best apartments from around the world. Focusing on fabulous interiors, this book is a digest of the myriad ways to fit out spaces that often begin as concrete shells, but are transformed, through the talents of the best interior architects and designers, into luxurious penthouses, funky lofts, hip apartments, sleek bachelor pads and sumptuous family homes. An inspiring sourcebook for all lovers of beautiful interiors. Title Fifty of the World's Best Apartments Editor Robyn Beaver...
Paper
1970s "Fanfare" Screenprint by Frank Rowland
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking limited edition op art serigraph by American artist Frank Rowland (1927-2012) in the hard edge style. An abstract geometric composition in red, orange, and yellow against ...
Paper
René Gruau limited edition 1990 lithograph 'Bonjour Cherie'
By René Gruau
Located in Weesp, NL
René Gruau Bonjour Chérie Limited Edition Lithograph, 74/300 Printed by Mourlot, Paris Import of Art into the US should be exempt from all U.S. import tariffs but please check. ...
Acrylic, Wood, Paper
$2,950
H 28 in W 33.25 in D 1.5 in
LeRoy Neiman “Game of the Century” Signed Artist’s Proof Serigraph, 1974
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in San Diego, CA
A vibrant artist’s proof impression of Game of the Century by LeRoy Neiman, from his 1974 Nebraska Suite. This dynamic football composition captures the intensity of the game through...
Paper, Wood
Keith Haring. Numbered color silkscreen print. 1990s.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Color silkscreen print in a light oak frame. It is numbered 71/150 and bears the Keith Haring Foundation’s stamp and embossed seal in the lower left corner. American work created i...
Paper, Oak
Selection of Marc Chagall Color Lithographs
By Marc Chagall
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of color lithographs by Marc Chagall, France, 1950s. These are vintage original color lithographs, and have recently been professionally framed in vintage gilt wood frames ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$995 / set
H 28 in W 8 in D 0.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Copper Enameled Wall Plaques, circa 1965
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural wall plaques. Modern day couple in three sections each. Copper enamel panels mounted on walnut. In excellent vintage condition with min...
Copper, Enamel
Color Lithograph "Fruit" by Nils Artur Nilsson
Located in Vienna, AT
Nils Artur Nilsson. Color lithograph, Skogsgläntan (The forest glade), signed Nils Artur, numbered 125/360. Framed, external dimensions 71 x 61 cm.
Paper
$295
H 15.36 in W 19.22 in D 0.02 in
Antique Religious Print "No. 35" the Crucifixion of Jesus, circa 1840
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled ‘Histoire Sainte, Nouveau Testament, Crucifiement.’ This plate shows a scene from the New Testament; The Crucifixion of Jesus...
Paper
Gerhard Henning: Aquatint Etching – “Woman and Harlequin”
By Gerhard Henning
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gerhard Henning (1880–1967) Aquatint etching, pencil-signed “G. Henning” in the lower right corner. A sensual and lyrical scene featuring a nude woman and a harlequin-like figure dre...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Signed Figural Abstract Aquatint Colored Etching
Located in Chicago, IL
Vivid color and intricate design are the focal points of this aquatint colored etching print numbered 2 of 4. Signed I.P.I.
Metal
Josef Albers "Formulation : Articulation" Portfolio II, Folder 14
By Josef Albers
Located in Chicago, IL
JOSEF ALBERS (1888 – 1976) "Formulation : Articulation" Portfolio II, Folder 14 Screen-printed geometric composition printed by Ives Stillman, Inc., New Haven, CT. From the set of...
Paper
Vibrant Color Lithograph after Henri Matisse
By Henri Matisse
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vibrant color lithograph after Henri Matisse, circa 1950s. Signed, dated 1951, and titled, all within the lithograph. It has been framed in a simple, clean lined black lacquer wooden...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$2,000
H 34.5 in W 43.5 in D 1.25 in
Artist's Proof Lithograph entitled "Birds in Flight" by Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in San Diego, CA
Alexander Calder signed "Birds in Flight" artist's proof lithograph, circa 1974. This elegant print by Calder exemplifies the master's poetic exploration of motion, line and balance....
Metal
Sold
H 22.5 in W 29.75 in D 0.07 in
Vintage Roberto Matta Abstract Signed Surrealist Lithograph Print Artist Proof
By Roberto Matta
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage pencil signed lithograph print by Roberto Matta, showing surrealist style figures in car-like vehicles below Greek / Roman style soldie...
Paper