Architect and propagandist of the modern movement, Alberto Sartoris (1901-1998) assembled a remarkable photography collection of modern architecture, published in part in two anthologies that have since achieved mythical stature: «Gli Elementi dell’architettura funzionale» and «l’Encyclopédie de l’architecture nouvelle». These photographs document the architectural works around the world, from Le Corbusier to Luis Barragàn, photographed by the best specialists of their period.
This work presents the collection that Alberto Sartoris donated to the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne. It also throws light on a poorly understood aspect of twentieth century architecture, namely, the mechanisms behind the creation and diffusion of the «image of modern architecture», as well as the determining role played by photography in this process.
Published in collaboration with Vitra Design Museum, this book, featuring illustrations of emblematic pieces from the museum’s collections, expands our thinking about design.

Imprint and Illustration Credits - Foreword, Pierre Frey - Preface and Acknowledgments, Alexandre von Vegesack - From Collection to Encyclopedia: Issues and Milestones of an Exemplary Undertaking, Antoine Baudin - The Sartoris Collection–A Reflection of the Modern Movement, Antoine Baudin - Switzerland - France - Germany - Belgium and Luxembourg - Netherlands - Great Britain - Denmark and Iceland - Norway - Sweden - Finland - Austria - Czechoslovakia - Poland - Hungary - Romania - Soviet Union and Baltic Countries - Yugoslavia - Greece - Palestine (Israel) - Spain - United States - Mexico - Argentina, Uruguay and Other latin American Countries - Brazil - Japan - Italy - Furnishings and Design in the Sartoris Collection, Antoine Baudin - The Role of Furniture Photography in Modernist Propaganda, Arthur Rüegg - Modern Furniture from the Collection of the Vitra Design Museum, Mathias Schwartz-Clauss - Alberto Sartoris and the Dissemination of Modern Architecture: Milestones - Bibliography - List of names in the Sartoris collection - I. Architects and Designers - II. Photographers and Photographic Agencies.

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