Cabinet
1951 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In Italy this type of cabinet was known as a trumó or trumeau. Its origins can be traced back to the 1700s. Piero Fornasetti's unique style of decoration has transformed Gio Ponti's modern version into a striking piece of furniture. The technique used to make it was unusual. Lithographs were created for each section, printed on to transfer sheets, and then applied to fibreboard panels. These were fitted to the cabinet and varnished. Fornasetti's trompe-l'oeil schemes were inspired by 16th century Italian Mannerist art as well as by 20th century Surrealism. (Trompe-l'oeil is a French term meaning 'trick of the eye'.) They were based on his knowledge of printed books and engravings, rather than the observation of real buildings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Fibreboard with applied lithograph transfers |
| Brief description | Cabinet, 1951, Italian, designed by Gio Ponti, decorated by Piero Fornasetti, made by I Fratelli Radici |
| Physical description | Screen-printed & varnished wood fibreboard cabinet on laminated and solid wood. The outside is decorated with printed exterior architectural drawings, and the inside has interior architectural decoration |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | SECRETAIRE
Designed by Gio Ponti (Italian 1891-1979)
Decorated by Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988)
Screen-printed wood-fibre board (masonite) on laminated and solid wood, varnished
1949
Fornasetti was secretive about his decorative techniques, in an attempt to thwart imitators. He created lithographs of his designs, which were printed onto transfer sheets and then applied to each section of the furniture. Colour was added later, as was a varnish, which has yellowed with age on this example.
W.21-1983 |
| Historical context | Exhibited at the 9th Triennale, Milan, 1951. |
| Summary | In Italy this type of cabinet was known as a trumó or trumeau. Its origins can be traced back to the 1700s. Piero Fornasetti's unique style of decoration has transformed Gio Ponti's modern version into a striking piece of furniture. The technique used to make it was unusual. Lithographs were created for each section, printed on to transfer sheets, and then applied to fibreboard panels. These were fitted to the cabinet and varnished. Fornasetti's trompe-l'oeil schemes were inspired by 16th century Italian Mannerist art as well as by 20th century Surrealism. (Trompe-l'oeil is a French term meaning 'trick of the eye'.) They were based on his knowledge of printed books and engravings, rather than the observation of real buildings. |
| Bibliographic reference | Wilk, Christopher, ed. . Western Furniture 1350 to the Present Day. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996. 230p., ill. ISBN 085667463X. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.21&:2, 3-1983 |
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| Record created | November 28, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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