Carlo Mollino was an Italian designer, architect, and photographer known for his varied interests and projects. Ranging from well-crafted chairs, tables, and automobile designs to staged erotic portraits of women in his home studio, Mollino pursued aesthetic appeal in all aspects of his life. “Only when a work is not explainable other than in terms of itself can we say that we are in the presence of art,” he once explained. “This ineffable quality is the hallmark of an authentic work.” Born on May 6, 1905 in Turin, Italy, he became interested in art and design from a young age and went on to study architecture at the Polytechnic University in his hometown. Early on in his career, Mollino collaborated with his...