Made in Italy: MITA Textile Design 1926–1976

Art and design, modern industry and handcraft—these were the ingredients brought together by MITA, an Italian firm specializing in carpets, tapestries, and other textiles. Founded in Genoa as the Manifattura Italiana Tappeti Artistici (Italian Artistic Carpet Manufactory) in 1926 by Mario Alberto Ponis, MITA earned its reputation by collaborating with some of Italy’s most talented artists and designers to create carpets inspired by modernist aesthetic trends while employing up-to-date production techniques. After the Second World War, MITA expanded production to include tapestries and fabrics with both abstract and figurative patterns—striking designs that secured lucrative commissions, decorated ocean liners, and were showcased in international exhibitions.

Carpets, tapestries, scarves, and printed fabrics, as well as original design drawings, will showcase exceptional work by designers like Gio Ponti, Fortunato Depero, Enrico Paulucci, Emanuele Luzzati, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Gio Pomodoro, and Ettore Sottsass, Jr., revealing a characteristically Italian approach to industry and design.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website