Piero Fornasetti was a Milanese painter, sculptor, interior decorator, and engraver best known for his surreal and whimsical style that dissolved the line between fine art and functional design. His work is iconic for its imaginative use of repetition, illusion, and symbolism—particularly the recurring face of the 19th-century opera singer Lina Cavalieri, which became a central motif in over 350 of his designs.
Fornasetti produced thousands of pieces in his lifetime—ranging from porcelain and furniture to wallpaper and fashion accessories—characterized by neoclassical imagery, optical illusions, and a wry sense of humor. Though trained at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, he was largely self-directed and collaborated with leading figures like architect Gio Ponti, with whom he created furniture and interiors that remain celebrated to this day.
Fornasetti’s work defied modernist minimalism, offering a lush, fantastical alternative that celebrated ornamentation and imagination. His legacy is that of a unique visual language that continues to captivate collectors and creatives worldwide.
His son, Barnaba, has been instrumental in preserving, revitalizing, and expanding the Fornasetti brand since his father's death in 1988. With a background in theater and stage design, Barnaba brought a theatrical sensibility and deep respect for heritage to the family atelier.