Bugatti

For most people the world of Bugatti is associated with cars. However, the Bugatti story is a much larger one, encompassing three generations and four remarkable individuals: Carlo Bugatti, his sons Ettore and Rembrandt, and Ettore’s son, Gianoberto (Jean).

For the first time in Australia this exhibition will show the furniture, sculpture and cars of this extraordinary family. Drawn from private collections, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the furniture now in the NGV Collection, including the last chair from Carlo Bugatti’s Snail Room exhibited in Turin, 1902 (and a centrepiece of the show). The exhibition includes 13 pieces of Carlo’s furniture, 15 animal sculptures by Rembrandt, a Type 37 racing car from Ettore’s workshops and a Type 57C coupe designed by Jean Bugatti.

The bringing together of these seemingly disparate works may be a surprise, but they reflect a common creative impulse and share a unity of expression that binds them together. Welcome to the world of Bugatti.