Franco Albini 832 “Luisa” Armchairs for Cassina, wood and leather, Italy, 1953, set of eight.
Originally designed in 1939 and refined through multiple iterations, the 832 “Luisa” armchair reached its final form in 1953. This emblematic piece of Italian rationalism—named after Albini’s wife—is a masterclass in structural honesty and material reduction. The chair’s striking geometry balances voids and masses with studied precision: the black lacquered wood frame appears almost like a drawing in space, supporting padded leather cushions that seem to float. Each element is reduced to its essence, with the joints and angles becoming expressive components of the whole. Awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1955, the “Luisa” exemplifies Albini’s ability to merge artisanal tradition with architectural thought. His work—anchored in discipline and restraint—helped define the vocabulary of Italian modernism alongside figures like Ignazio Gardella and Carlo Scarpa.
Height: 30.51 in (77.5 cm)
Width: 21.85 in (55.5 cm)
Depth: 21.46 in (54.5 cm)
1953
2000-2009
Wood and leather
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