The Identity of Due pezzi
Due pezzi is a creation by Salvatore Ferragamo from 1935. This pair of women's shoes captures a specific moment in fashion. The design reflects the silhouettes and trends of the mid-1930s. It is a study of form and purpose.
The work embodies the Art Deco aesthetic. It relies on geometric precision and symmetrical arrangements. Salvatore Ferragamo used these lines to mirror the spirit of the interwar years. The shoes represent a fusion of craftsmanship and the social demands of the era.
Artist: Salvatore Ferragamo
Year: 1935
Subject: Women's shoes
The piece speaks to the glamour of the period. It was designed for the women of the 1930s. A single cat motif is embroidered on the upper. The colors red, yellow, and green provide a sense of energy.
Composition and Visual Details
The composition centers entirely on the pair of shoes, positioned against a stark white background that isolates the subject. They are angled to reveal the architecture of the design, turning the footwear into a sculptural study of form. A black heel and upper provide a dark foundation for the ornamentation above.
Across the instep, intricate silver strap detailing catches the light. The front of each shoe features an embroidered or appliqued design, bringing texture to the smooth surface. A stylized cat motif is integrated into the upper, adding a specific, graceful character to the piece.
A black heel and upper
Silver strap detailing across the instep
Embroidered cat motif
Accents of red, yellow, and green
Color enters the work through small, deliberate points. Red, yellow, and green appear within the decorative elements, breaking the dark expanse of the material. The lines are clean and the focus remains sharp. A quiet precision defines the silhouette.
Technique and Materials Used
The construction relies on the tactile tension between soft and hard elements. Stitched suede forms the upper, providing a smooth, matte surface that holds the shape of the foot. This leather is paired with silver metal straps that catch the light across the instep. A cat motif is rendered through embroidery, adding a raised, textured dimension to the dark material.
Beneath the surface, the architecture of the shoe prioritizes stability and weight. The soles are crafted from cork, a material chosen for its natural resilience and ability to provide comfort. This organic foundation supports the more decorative elements of the design.
Stitched suede
Cork soles
Gilded glass mosaics
Silver metal straps
Embroidered thread
Light finds its way into the small, gilded glass mosaics embedded within the design. These fragments offer a sharp, metallic contrast to the yielding suede. The assembly of materials creates a study in varied surfaces. A quiet precision defines the finish.
Related Works by Salvatore Ferragamo
The artist’s hand moved through decades of leather and form. In 1929, the Prototipo di décolleté emerged, a quiet precursor to the structured elegance of later years. By 1938, the Prototipo di due pezzi appeared, a study in the juxtaposition of textures and the use of wooden heels.
The evolution of his vision continued into the next decade. The 1940 Evening Shoes captured a specific moment of mid-century refinement. Later, in 1952, the Sandal arrived, defined by its geometric precision and luxurious craftsmanship.
Prototipo di décolleté, 1929
Prototipo di due pezzi, 1938
Evening Shoes, 1940
Sandal, 1952
Each piece remains a fragment of a larger, unfolding silhouette. The needle and the knife leave their mark on the grain.
