Early "Poltrona di Proust" armchair by Alessandro Mendini Beech wood, carved and painted white as well as white cotton fabric, the entire surface hand-painted in polychrome with acrylic paint. Curved, openwork frame and wide, sweeping armrests with lavish volutes. Curved, raised backrest frame. Upholstered and covered on all sides. Designed by Alessandro Mendini, 1978, slightly damaged; h. 109 cm. 103 cm x 90 cm. Seat h. 35 cm. The Proust armchair designed by Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019) in 1978 marks the start of a series of so-called re-designs, which reinterpreted the form and decor of existing designs. The armchair is modelled on a neo-baroque piece of furniture from Marcel Proust's circle, which Mendini came across while developing a fabric design for Cassina. The décor of the furniture refers to a pointillist painting by Paul Signac. In this way, Mendini "succeeds not only in quoting Impressionism, but also the Baroque with its central motif of infinity". Mendini's design, which was initially conceived as a one-off but then produced as a unique piece or in a small series, breaks with classic design qualities such as original design, functional construction and economical production. This piece of furniture with its hand-dotted decor is one of the earliest versions. See Vitra Design Museum and Peter Weiß: Alessandro Mendini: Dinge, Projekte, Bauten, pp. 101 and 190. Provenance: Hans Ernst Weidinger Collection (1949-2023). Since 1985 in the collection of the textile designer Prof. Karl Höing (*1957). One of the first handpainted wood and fabric productions of the Poltrona di Proust easy chair designed by Alessandro Mendini. Minor flaw. Italy. Milan. Studio Alchimia. Late 1970s.