Artist Monograph

Ettore Sottsass, Italian

Italian, born Austria. 1917–2007

Medium Breakdown

Medium	Works at MoMA	Share
Other Media	21	72.4%
Acrylic Painting	2	6.9%
Sculpture	2	6.9%
Printmaking	1	3.4%
Drawing	1	3.4%
Photography	1	3.4%
Gouache	1	3.4%

Production by Decade

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

Physical Scale

Scale bracket	Works	Share
Small (< 30 cm)	8	27.6%
Medium (30–100 cm)	17	58.6%
Large (1–3 m)	4	13.8%

Range: 6.7 cm → 196.9 cm (largest side)

Acquisition Timeline

Year acquired	Works
1969	1
1987	1
2000	14
2001	2
2007	1
2012	1
2013	2
2015	1
2016	1
2017	3
2018	2

Italian Contemporaries

Catalogued Works

MoMA — 29 shown

Title	Date	Medium	Dimensions	Department	Credit line
"Fosforescenze" textile design Design Acc. 152.2016	1957	Gouache on paper	26 × 18 3/4" (66 × 47.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Committee on Architecture and Design Funds
Asteroid Lamp Design Acc. 2291.2001	1968	Perspex and wood	28 5/8 x 10 13/16 x 6 5/16" (72.7 x 27.5 x 16 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the manufacturer
Valentine Portable Typewriter Design Acc. 1116.1969	1968	ABS plastic and other materials	4 5/8 x 13 1/2 x 13 7/8" (11.7 x 34.3 x 35.2 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of Olivetti Underwood
Yantra Vases (model Y31) Design Acc. 1289.2018.1-2	c.1969	Glazed earthenware	14 × 14 × 6 1/2" (35.6 × 35.6 × 16.5 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the George R. Kravis II Collection
Summa 19 Calculator Design Acc. 65.2007	1970	Plastic	4 x 8 x 14" (10.2 x 20.3 x 35.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder
Preliminary Project for Microenvironment Architecture Acc. 126.2013	c.1971	Collage with ink, gouache, acrylic and tape	15 3/4 x 11 3/4" (40 x 29.8 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the designer
Preliminary Project for Microenvironment, Element for Landscape Home Architecture Acc. 127.2013	c.1971	Gouache and ink on print with acrylic	16 3/4 x 26 1/2" (42.5 x 67.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the designer
Table Lamp with Mobile Arm and Clamp (model 32 205) Design Acc. 2292.2001	1972	Die-cast metal and synthetic material	43 x 6 1/4 x 16" (109.2 x 15.9 x 40.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the manufacturer
The Planet as Festival: Design of a Roof to Discuss Under, project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1307.2000	1972-73	Graphite on paper	11 1/2 x 10 7/8" (29.2 x 27.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
The Planet as Festival: Gigantic Work, Panoramic Road with View on the Irrawaddy River and the Jungle, project (Aerial perspective) Architecture Acc. 1306.2000	1972-73	Graphite on paper	16 x 12 1/4" (40.6 x 31.1 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
The Planet as Festival: Study for a Dispenser of Incense, LSD, Marijuana, Opium, Laughing Gas, project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1296.2000	1972–1973	Graphite on paper	15 1/8 x 13 3/8" (38.4 x 34 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
The Planet as Festival: Study for a Large Dispenser of Waltzes, Tangos, Rock, and Cha-Cha, project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1305.2000	1972-73	Graphite on paper	16 1/2 x 13 3/8" (41.9 x 34 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
The Planet as Festival: Study for Design of a Stadium for Rock Concerts, project (Aerial perspective) Architecture Acc. 1303.2000	1972-73	Graphite and white ink on paper	14 3/4 x 11 1/2" (37.5 x 29.2 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
The Planet as Festival: Study for Design of a Stadium to Watch the Stars, project (Aerial perspective) Architecture Acc. 1304.2000	1972-73	Graphite on paper	19 x 13 1/2" (48.3 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
The Planet as Festival: Study for Rafts for Listening to Chamber Music, project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1297.2000	1972–1973	Graphite on paper	14 1/2 x 12 3/8" (36.8 x 31.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
The Planet as Festival: Study for Temple for Erotic Dances, project (Aerial perspective and plan) Architecture Acc. 1298.2000	1972–1973	Graphite and cut-and-pasted gelatin silver print on paper	13 15/16 x 12 5/8" (35.4 x 32.1 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
Shiva vase Design Acc. 167.2012	1973	Glazed earthenware	9 1/2 x 7 x 2 7/8" (24.1 x 17.8 x 7.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of Rob Beyer
Study for Fruit Bowl (with Apple), project (Aerial perspective) Architecture Acc. 1299.2000	1973	Graphite and self-adhesive letters on paper	19 x 13 1/2" (48.3 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
Study for Fruit Bowl (with Grapes), project (Aerial perspective) Architecture Acc. 1295.2000	1973	Graphite and self-adhesive letters on paper	19 x 13 1/2" (48.3 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
Study for Tea Pot (by Ocean with Shells), project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1300.2000	1973	Graphite and self-adhesive letters on paper	19 x 13 1/2" (48.3 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
Study for Tea Pot (in Forest Setting), project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1301.2000	1973	Graphite and self-adhesive letters on paper	19 x 13 1/2" (48.3 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
Study for Tea Pot (with Red Lid), project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1302.2000	1973	Graphite and self-adhesive letters on paper	19 x 13 1/2" (48.3 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
Study for Tea Pot, project (Perspective) Architecture Acc. 1308.2000	1973	Graphite and self-adhesive letters on paper	19 x 13 1/2" (48.3 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation
'Carlton' Room Divider Design Acc. 1290.2018	1981	Plastic laminate and wood	77 1/2 × 75 × 15 5/8" (196.9 × 190.5 × 39.7 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the George R. Kravis II Collection
Memphis textile Design Acc. 751.2015	c.1981	Screen printed silk	43 5/16 x 40 9/16" (110 x 103 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Committee on Architecture and Design Funds
Enorme Telephone Design Acc. 458.1987	1986	ABS polymer casing	2 1/4 × 7 5/8 × 4 (5.7 × 19.3 × 10.2 × 38.1 cm) length with cord: 15" ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 38.10 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the manufacturer
ID-S standing lamp Design Acc. 384.2017	1987	Aluminum and glass	74 × 9 13/16 × 16 15/16" (188 × 25 × 43 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the manufacturer
Optos lighting system Design Acc. 385.2017	1994	Glass	2 5/8 × 10" (6.7 × 25.4 cm) (diameter) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 25.40 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the manufacturer
Optos lighting system Design Acc. 386.2017	1994	Glass	Assembled dimensions: 10 3/4 × 11 3/4" (27.3 × 29.8 cm) (diameter) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 29.85 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Gift of the manufacturer