Lust for Life

Illustration, 1930

Giò Ponti was one of the most productive and eclectically creative Italian designers of the 20th century. 
He was born in Milan in 1891, and after serving as a captain in WWI, graduated in architecture in 1921. 
His long career never slowed down until his death in 1979, and his love of design found expression
 in many different arenas, from large-scale architectural projects, including Milan's first skyscraper,
 to the creation of decorative objects, fabric and furniture, to the founding and editing of the innovative
 and still influential Domus magazine. The range of his activities also included industrial design,
 painting, interior decoration, poetry, teaching and lecturing. 

Richard Ginori, 1920s

Ponti designed a vast array of objects in collaboration with some of the best craftsmen of his time,

and animal subjects were explored in different periods, utilizing various media and styles. 

From 1923 to 1930 he was the artistic director of the porcelain manufacturer Richard Ginori,

 and revolutionized the company's output with new product lines featuring simple ceramic forms

 decorated with elegant neo-classical motifs. Under his direction the company won the Grand Prix

 at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925.  

Richard Ginori, 1920s

Richard Ginori, ca. 1925

Richard Ginori, 1930

Richard Ginori, 1930s 

Fornasetti chair prototype 

In 1940 Ponti met another eclectic and productive Italian designer, Pietro Fornasetti, 
and they began a long period of collaboration.

Fornasetti table, 1950

Fornasetti desk, 1950s

Giò Ponti and Paolo De Poli 

During the 1940s Ponti also worked with Paolo De Poli, master copper enamelist, on furniture and decorative panels, 

and in the 1950s the two produced a series of objects and animal sculptures together. 

Ponti was a prolific draughtsman, and the animal figures first took shape as quick sketches. 
De Poli took these flat forms and turned them into freestanding objects by cutting 
and folding them as if they were made out of paper. 

Giò Ponti and Paolo De Poli, 1950s

Fine much more about Ponti and his work at the official website and archives.