This hefty volume is essentially a pricey catalog published to coincide with an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Combining Surrealist influences with a love for old engravings, prolific designer Piero Fornasetti (1913-88) created an array of whimsical creations and visions. Applying these to items of daily use, his workshops issued decorated cups, ties, scarves, fans, and screens along with dazzling pieces of trompe l'oeil furniture, all now sought by collectors. In addition, Fornasetti created countless drawings, book designs, and portraits and designed the decor for the luxury liner Andrea Doria. After peaking in the Fifties and Sixties, Fornasetti's reputation experienced a decline, until he was "rediscovered" in 1980 during the first revival of "Fifties Style." This lush homage to a fascinating artist includes over 600 illustrations, 116 in color. Most appropriate for strong art and design collections. -Joseph Hewgley, Nashville P.L. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
