Superb Tulipwood writing table/desk by Ignazio Gardella , 1950

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Superb Tulipwood writing table/desk by Ignazio Gardella , 1950

About the Item

A superb writing table / desk finished in stunning tulipwood by iconic italian architect Ignazio Gardella (1905-1999). The supporting base is made of enamelled metal with adjustable feet made of bronze. Gardella was particularly well known for his ability to harmonious blend opposing styles which is exemplified here with the deeply organic grain of the tulip wood set against the deeply rationalist formal structure of the enamelled base, A great and rare piece of 1950s italian modern design by the master of italian rationalism. Ignazio Gardella was a member of the so-called third generation of the Modern Movement. He is considered one of the greatest exponents of Italian Rationalism, although he followed its principles in a personal way, searching to overcome its limitations. He was born in 1905 in Milan to a family of four previous generations of architects. He graduated in Civil Engineering in Milan in 1931, and in Architecture in Venice in 1949. at the start of his career, Gardella collaborated as a designer with Olivari, Azucena and, especially, with Gavina. During this period, he travelled extensively in order to improve his training: he went to Germany, –Frankfurt in particular- and the Scandinavian countries, where he met Alvar Aalto. In 1935, Gardella published his first works in the magazine “Casabella”, owned at the time by the publishing house led by Ernesto Rogers, a very major figure in the world of architecture at the time due to his innovative methods in teaching Italian architecture. During that period, Gardella carried out projects such as the Antituberculosis Clinic and the Laboratorio Provinciale di Igiene, both in Alessandria. The first building is considered one of the purest examples of Italian Rationalism. Nonetheless, Gardella soon felt the need to overcome the rigid limitations of the Rationalist style. In 1945 Gardella founded , along with some other young architects in Milan, the Studi Architettura Movement. That same year, he started his career as a professor in the Istituto di Architettura in Venice, an occupation that lasted 25 years, until 1975. Together with Albini, Samonà and Rogers, he ran the summer courses of the CIAM in Venice between 1952 and 1956. Gardella, Magistretti, De Carlo and Ernesto Nathan Rogers represented Italy in the Otterlo meeting in 1959, which was the 11th and last congress of the CIAM (bringing to an end the International Congress of Modern Architecture .) During the 50s Gardella undertook various projects, including the staff house of Borsalino in Alessandria (1950), the PAC (Padiglione Arte Contemporanea, 1951) in the Villa Reale in Milan, the Casa delle Zattere in Venice (1958) and Olivetti's dinner-room in Ivrea (1958). After that, he also made the Alfa Romeo offices in Arese (1969), the Vicenza theatre project, and in Genova the new building of the architecture university and the rebuilding of the Carlo Felice Theatre (with Aldo Rossi, Reinhart and Sibilla.) Gardella received many awards throughout his career, including the Olivetti architecture national award (1955) and the Fiuggi award (1988). He was also honored, among others, with the honorary memberships of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milano and of the Accademia di San Luca. Ignazio Gardella was always critical of his own work. He often stated his will to overcome the rules of Rationalism and the limits of the Modern Movemen;: sensitivity and the eye are seen as the new tools to create new forms and textures. Following this statement, he created probably his most famous design, the Digamma armchair, produced in 1957 by Gavina. With this Gardella showed his capacity to join harmoniously elements that belonged to opposite styles at first sight, a common characteristic of most of his works. The Digamma armchair achieved to overcome Gardella's links with Rationalism: its body is Rationalist (the seat and the back) but its joints (arms and legs) are Ultrarationalist – it is a little masterwork of great aesthetic and formal value.

Attributed to:
Luigi Caccia Dominioni (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 66.15 in (168 cm)Depth: 33.86 in (86 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Metal,Tulipwood,Enameled
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1950
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Slight surface scratching and wear.
Seller Location:
bergen op zoom, NL
Reference Number:
Seller: 228 gardella table1stDibs: LU9301755601