Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
$2,358 / item
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 0.79 in
Square Mirror Model "Optical" Designed by Alessandro Mendini for Glas, Italy
By Alessandro Mendini, Glas Italia
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1990s. This is a limited edition. The mirror was designed by Alessandro Mendini with Sanchita Ajjampur, a famous Indian fashion designe...
Mirror
$3,537
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 13.39 in
Ceramic Sculpture Proust Model by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The famous Proust in miniaturized ceramic of the "Proust-Decorate Collection", designed by Alessandro Mendini e produced by Superego Editions. Limited edition of 35 copies. Signed an...
Ceramic
Set of 3 mirrored panels by Alessandro Mendini for Elam
By Alessandro Mendini, Elam
Located in Ravenna, IT
No. 3 mirror panels, made by Elam in 1986 based on a design by Alessandro Mendini. The panels feature a structure made of wooden panels, on which the large mirrors with colorful scre...
Mirror, Wood
$3,537
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 13.39 in
Ceramic Sculpture Proust Model by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The famous Proust in miniaturized ceramic of the "Proust-Decorate Collection", designed by Alessandro Mendini e produced by Superego Editions. Limited edition of 35 copies. Signed an...
Ceramic
Sosia mirror by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Ravenna, IT
Oval wall mirror designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta in 1991. The mirror features a simple perimeter shape with a ground contour. The hooking element on the back also serves a...
Mirror
$11,320
H 70.87 in Dm 13.78 in
Alessandro Mendini Model Prònao 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ceramic sculpture of the 12 columns collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego editions. Limited edition of 10 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Alessan...
Ceramic
Mirror by Alessandro Mendini for Zabro, Italy, '85/'90s
By Alessandro Mendini, Zabro
Located in Vicenza, VI
Alessandro Mendini graduated in Architecture from the Milan Polytechnic in 1959. From the late 1970s he was among the leading figures in the renewal of Italian design. His work was d...
Wood
$1,533
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 13.39 in
Ceramic Sculpture Proust Metallic by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The famous Proust in miniaturized ceramic of the "Ceramic Proust Metallic" Collection" designed by Alessandro Mendini e produced by Superego Editions. Silver color. Limited edition o...
Ceramic
$1,533
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 13.39 in
Ceramic Sculpture Proust Metallic by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The famous Proust in miniaturized ceramic of the "Ceramic Proust Metallic Collection" designed by Alessandro Mendini e produced by Superego Editions. Limited edition of 45 copies. Si...
Ceramic
$11,320
H 70.87 in Dm 13.78 in
Alessandro Mendini Model Triglifo 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ceramic sculpture of the 12 columns collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego Editions. Limited edition of 10 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Alessan...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.
Aided by photos taken of the maestro in his Milan studio, we honor the influential design talent who died last month at 87.
