Realized in 1969 in only one prototype, which now part of the Vitra Design Muséum, Leonardo is a visionary interprétation of modular couches, so common in the houses of the Sixties. Its essence lies in its complété compositional freedom, which is in perfect harmony with the anti conformist spirit of the times. In each configuration, Leonardo célébrâtes, deconstructs, and exalts the American flag. Hinting at domestic play, it focuses on the values of independence and freedom, on the peaceful révolutions represented byjazz and rock music, on the lightness of Kerouac's travel on the road, and on the brotherhood of Flower Power. This couch, free from joints and structural constraints, and thus freely modular, is a clear reference to the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci, because its modules are obtained from two concentric circles inscribed within a square, and it is marked by two orthogonal and two diagonal axes. Leonardo is a domestic sculpture rich in meaning that does not renounce its soft connotation, since it is completely made of polyuréthane. The American flag that décorâtes it is painted by hand using Guflac, the particular paint patented by Gufram that makes it possible to make polyuréthane look like leather while maintaining its flexibility and softness.
Leonardo is the icon of the itinérant exhibit Pop Art Design that has been travelling around the world for years and has been hosted by the most important muséums; moreover, it was on display at the Barbican Centre in London, at the Louisiana Muséum in Denmark, and at the Muséum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.