Harry Bertoia

American, 1915-1978. Harry Bertoia was a well-known sculptor, painter, furniture, and jewelry designer. He was famous for his Diamond chair design- a furniture piece made from highly polished steel wires. The chair featured a basket-like frame and cushions resting on it. The artist was born on 10th March 1915 in San Lorenzo, Italy. At the age of 15, the artist moved to Detroit with Oreste- his elder brother. In America, the artist learned art and jewelry making at the Cass Technical High School from 1930 to 1936. He later went on to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art with artists like Walter Gropius, architect Eero Saarinen, Hans, and Florence Knoll, and designers Charles and Ray Eames, who influenced his artistic journey.

For a brief period, Harry Bertoia worked at the Evans Product Company. He also worked as a furniture designer at Knoll's design firm. During the 1950s, Bertoia started creating wood and metal sculptures. His sculptures incorporated a wide range of techniques like welding, spill-casting, and hand shaping. Harry Bertoia's sound sculptures producing different sounds like gongs and chimes became famous as Sonambient sculptures. The artist also made sculptures from fine steel and brass wire. Bertoia was well-known for his Kinetic Art, public sculptures, biomorphic jewelry, children's chairs, 4-ton fountains, and an asymmetric chaise. Bertoia often did not sign or title his works.

Today, Harry Bertoia's works like sculptures and furniture are on display at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others. The artist died on 6th November 1978 in Barto, PA. Harry Bertoia's furniture is often available at online auctions from leading auction galleries. Collectors can also find Harry Bertoia's furniture for sale online on top auction platforms.

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