Jordi Vilanova

JORDI VILANOVA (Barcelona, 1925-1998).
Chest of drawers with shoe rack, ca.1970.
Provenance: Great mansion of Barcelona. Acquired in Jordi Vilanova's studio in 1970.
In three modules.
Stained walnut wood.
Nickel-plated brass handles.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use.
Measurements: 73 x 70 x 45 cm (drawers); 73 x 55 x 45 cm (shoe rack).

Set of two drawers (with four drawers each) and a shoe cabinet. Being independent modules, they allow different distributions. The design fully responds to the robust and elegant style that Jordi Vilanova championed. Its essentialist prismatic structure is enhanced by the metal handles that outline both drawers, organizing the minimalist geometry of the furniture. The polished finish of the metal dialogues with the dark walnut wood to form an attractive whole.

Catalan interior designer and cabinetmaker, Jordi Vilanova enrolled in 1939 at the Escuela de Trabajo y Oficios Artísticos de la Lonja. He completed his training in the workshop of Busquets, and between 1940 and 1953 he collaborated in the studio of Lluís Gili. Jordi Vilanova was founder and promoter of the Catalan art magazine "Questions d'Art" (1967-74). In 1974 he opened premises with a permanent exhibition of furniture and upholstery of his own design, forming part of the Official College of Interior Decorators and Designers of Barcelona and the SAD. His modern furniture and his way of resolving spaces were initially aimed at a large public of scarce economic resources and, consequently, homes with less living space. However, this great majority did not understand his proposal. Instead, it was the Catalan bourgeoisie, eager to break with outdated stylistic canons, who embraced his work. His specialty was furniture for children, such as the Delta stool, which won the Delta de Plata Prize awarded by the ADI/FAD in 1964. He held exhibitions of his work in Scandinavia. Among his most representative designs are the Tiracord and Billar chairs (1961), the Montseny MP bunk bed (1961), the Tartera (1966) and Petit (1978) rockers and the Z magazine rack (1987) designed with his son Pau Vilanova Vila-Abadal. It is currently represented in the Design Museum of Barcelona.