On the occasion of the Scandinavian design sale on Wednesday, October 10, PIASA presents some of Alvar Aalto's emblematic pieces, representative of his modernist and humanist ideas. Alvar Aalto is one of the most important architect designers of the 20th century in Europe. Nicknamed the "Mage du Nord" by architecture critic Siegfried Giedion, his works appear both historical and timeless in their functional and aesthetic design.
Born in 1898 in Kuortane, Finland, Alvar Aalto developed a sensitivity for the natural world from childhood and cultivated his knowledge of wood, his preferred material. Graduated from the Technical University of Helsinki, at 25 years old he opened his agency.
Lot 199 - Alvar Aalto (1898-1976)
31 Model, Pair of armchairs
Estimate : 12 000 - 18 000 €
Result : 20 800 €
In 1929, Aalto won the competition for the construction of a new sanatorium in Paimio, Finland (1929-1933), considered his first masterpiece. In order to equip this sanatorium, he created in 1932 the Paimio 41 armchair with an imposing and light appearance. The design of this chair follows several years of research into the possibilities of glued laminated wood. Alvar Aalto is successfully developing an innovative process to obtain a curve of more than 90° in wood.
Lot 193 - Alvar Aalto (1898-1976)
Paimio n°41 Model, Pair of armchairs
Estimate 12 000 - 18 000 €
Result 27 300 €
In the 1930s, Aalto met Harry and Mayor Gullichsen, great patrons of modern art in Finland, for whom he designed the Villa Mairea (1938-39). Marie Gullichsen also joins forces with Alvar Aalto to found Artek, a company dedicated to the serial publication of furniture and the organisation of art exhibitions.
In 1936 he designed the 400 armchair, better known as the "Tank armchair", for the Milan triennial, where it was noticed and awarded. The suspended position of the seat, coupled with its wide armrests, gives it its distinctive look while ensuring excellent comfort.
Lot 201- Alvar Aalto (1898-1976)
Tank Model, Armchair
Estimate 5 000 - 7 000 €
At the same time, he participated in the CIAM (International Congresses of Modern Architecture) where he joined a cosmopolitan network of architects that brought him international recognition. During the 1950s and 1960s, Aalto became very productive. His most notable projects include the Kansaneläkelatos in Helsinki and the residence near Paris for art dealer Louis Carré. His achievements form the basis of Scandinavian design.
Lot 3 - Aino Aalto (1894-1949)
Floor lamp, Beech, brass and painted metal
Estimate 7000 - 9000 €
Result 8 450 €
