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
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
