The
color monotypes are true works of art. If the black and white ones are
like sketches, the color ones show the virtuosity of Harry bertoia's printing
technique,
subtle yet strong. They are beautiful, the use of color is never violent,
tones and shading handled with virtual fearlessness. After seing one or two,
you will
understand why the director of the Guggenheim Foundation bought one hundred
of them
or why most major museums in America included these pieces in their permanent
collections.
The
black and white monotypes were like wonderful sketches. Harry made them
throughout his career. To know more about them, consult the book by June Kompass
Nelson:
" Harry Bertoia, Printmaker".
Harry also taught graphics at Cranbrook and the monotypes were his first successfully
sold work.
Harry
Bertoia made jewelry for a short time, specially during the war years. As the
metal was
very dear and hard to get, Harry worked smaller pieces that he sold through
the
Nierendorf Gallery in New York City. Mostly made of silver and brass, some are
gold.
He made the wedding rings for Ray and Charles Eames. Harry Bertoia was a very
generous
person and gave a lot of his work to his friends. Mostly brooches and necklaces
and a few earrings. Af far as the author knows, Harry did not make jewelry after
the middle fifties.
Early
in his career, Harry Bertoia made two tea sets (see: History/1) He also made
a few items
that he gave to friends: a cigarette box and a small brass dish that we know
of.
Are there more out there? drop us a line if you know.
These
pictures represent the work that Harry bertoia made for Knoll .
left toright: child's chair, "bird chair", ottoman, bench, and the
chromed diamond chair.
The
large Diamond chair is very beautiful due to its sleek low lines. In chrome,
it is a
magnificent example of twentieth century design. The idea of doing the chair
in chrome
came when GM needed chairs for their showrooms. Knoll shipped the chairs to
GM and
they were dipped in a chrome bath for car bumpers, to accentuate the automobile
world.
This ad from Knoll was published in Time magazine.
It shows Harry bertoia in his studio with some of his sculptures.
The chair he is sitting on was made by Nakashima.
Other
Works
