Ettore Sottsass: Philippe Thomé Phaidon Book

About the book

Phaidon's much-loved monograph on the legendary Italian designer and architect, Ettore Sottsass

The re-release of this highly acclaimed title demonstrates the continual fascination, from both fans and collectors, with the life and work of Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass. The designer's work is popular and influential in equal measure, from his designs for Olivetti (such as the striking, bright red, manual typewriter, the Valentine, with its ingenious carry-case) to the post-modern brilliance of the work of the Memphis Group, founded by Sottsass in Milan in 1980.

Packed with beautiful images taken from the extensive Sottsass archives and including drawings and sketches from the designer's countless sketchbooks, the book explores his entire career from the 1940s to the 2000s, covering everything from his architectural projects and product design to his ceramics, sculpture, and graphics.

About the author

Philippe Thomé was born in Geneva in 1951. In 1991 he was awarded a doctor of letters by the University of Geneva, having written his thesis on the work of Ettore Sottsass. He has taught history of art at the universities of Geneva and Lausanne, and history of architecture and design at ECAL (School of Art and Design, Lausanne).

Hardback, 12 5/8 × 9 in., 492 pages, 800 illustrations