Designers Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi created the Poltrona Joe in 1970, a chair that brought Pop Art sensibilities into the realm of domestic furniture. Manufactured by Poltronova, the piece exemplifies the Pop Art movement’s core principle: elevating everyday objects into art.
Design and Form
The Poltrona Joe features a metal frame structure, polyurethane foam padding, and leather upholstery, mounted on invisible wheels. The designers shaped the chair to resemble a baseball glove, transforming a recognizable sporting object into functional seating. The chair takes its name from Joe DiMaggio, the legendary baseball player and husband of Marilyn Monroe, connecting the design to American popular culture.
Collections and Legacy
The Poltrona Joe entered major institutional collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Triennale di Milano, securing its place in design history as a significant example of 1970s Italian design and Pop Art influence.
Frequently asked questions
What inspired the shape of the Poltrona Joe?
The designers created the chair referencing a baseball glove’s form, bringing Pop Art’s principle of transforming ordinary objects into art into furniture design.
Who designed the Poltrona Joe and who manufactured it?
Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi designed the chair, which was manufactured by Poltronova.
Where can the Poltrona Joe be seen today?
The chair is held in the collections of MoMA in New York and the Triennale in Milan.
