BG115
Two-toned bronze table, in the style of Willy Rizzo, 1960s
28" high,
46" wide
Willy Rizzo is best
known as a photographer and his career began during the golden age of photojournalism.
With a 20 year career at Paris Match and actress Elsa Martinelli as a wife,
Rizzo had unparalleled access to the stars and photographed such greats as Brigitte
Bardot, marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly and Salvador Dali. In the late 60s, Rizzo
put down his camera and focused instead on interior design, a field in which,
though he had no experience, he would go on to enjoy considerable success. It
started when his high society friends were impressed with what he done to his
own apartment and what followed was a series of commissions from such people
as newspaper columnist Ghighi Cassini, Rodolfo Parisi and Vincente Minelli.
By 1968 Rizzo's demand for work was such that he set up his own company. He
established a factory just outside of Rome at Tivoli and throughout the following
10 years designed and produced more than 30 pieces of furniture. Willy Rizzo
stores could be found in Paris, LA, New York and Miami. During that decade,
Rizzo developed a style that is easily recognizable today. An admirer of the
sophistication of Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier as well as the understated
luxury of Ruhlmann, his work brought the best aspects of these together. Typically
his pieces combine clean, simple lines with bold geometric forms that are enlightened
by a delicate handling of materials, most notable his innovative inlaying of
chrome and brass.
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