Harry Bertoia

HARRY BERTOIA. (1915- 1978) was an Italian-born artist and modern furniture designer. At the age of 15 he traveled from Italy to Detroit to visit his older brother, however he chose to stay and enrolled in Cass Technical High School, where he studied art and design. In 1938 he attended the Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts. The following year in 1937 he received a scholarship to study at the Cranbrook Academy of Art where he encountered Walter Gropius, Edmund N. Bacon and Ray and Charles Eames for the first time.

In 1943, he married Brigitta Valentiner, and moved to California to work with Charles and Ray for the Evans Product Compnay. Evans provided technical work for airplane and medical equipment. Bertoia was also drawing training manuals. At this point they began to experiment with molded plywood. With Eero Saarinen they developed a method for making molded plywood splints that would later evolve into processes for designing furniture. Bertoia remained as part of their staff, working on a variety of projects.

In 1950, he moved to Pennsylvania, to establish a studio, and to work with Hans and Florence Knoll. (Florence was also a Cranbrook Graduate). During this period he designed five wire pieces that became known as the Bertoia Collection. Among them the famous 'Diamond Chair' a fluid, sculptural form made from a molded lattice work of welded steel.