Harry Bertoia

Date of Birth: March 10, 1915

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: November 6, 1978

Biography

Harry Bertoia, born Arri Bertoia, was an Italian-born American artist, sculptor, and furniture designer renowned for his innovative work in metal sculpture and sound art. He was born on March 10, 1915, in San Lorenzo, Pordenone, Italy, and emigrated to the United States at the age of 15. Bertoia studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, where he developed his skills in metalwork and design. His career took off in the 1950s when he began working with designer Charles Eames and later with Knoll Associates, where he created the famous Bertoia Diamond Chair. Beyond furniture design, Bertoia is celebrated for his “Sonambient” sculptures, which produce ethereal sounds when touched or moved by the wind. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums worldwide, and he remains a significant figure in the fields of modern art and design.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry Bertoia

1. Harry Bertoia created the iconic Diamond Chair for Knoll, which remains a classic in modern furniture design.

2. He developed a series of “Sonambient” sculptures that produce musical tones when interacted with, blending art with sound.

3. Bertoia received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1970 for his contributions to the field of sound sculpture.

4. He created over 50 public sculptures, including a significant piece for the MIT Chapel in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

5. Bertoia’s work is part of the permanent collections of major institutions, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry Bertoia

1. “The urge for good design is the same as the urge to go on living.”

2. “I had ideas of metal structures that could move, vibrate, and produce sound.”

3. “Art is when you hear a knocking from your soul — and you answer.”

4. “The greatest value of a picture is when it forces us to notice what we never expected to see.”

5. “I am very happy to be of this age and of this time, and I think I am very fortunate.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Harry Bertoia’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from his work with Knoll and his successful art exhibitions.

Children

Harry Bertoia and his wife, Brigitta Valentiner, had one child, a son named Val Bertoia, who followed in his father’s artistic footsteps and became an artist and sculptor himself.