What Inspired Flaminio Bertoni, Designer of the Citroën DS?

BOOK | The Creative Journey of Flaminio Bertoni, Designer of the Citroën 2CV and DS

A Book Unveiling the Life of Genius Designer Flaminio Bertoni

Akio Oya, a journalist who has lived in Italy for 26 years, has published a book that explores the sources of inspiration for Flaminio Bertoni, the genius designer and sculptor behind Citroën's "2CV" and "DS".

Text by OPENERS

Includes Rare Design Sketches and Artworks by Bertoni

When discussing the history of automobiles, the Citroën "2CV" and "DS" are indispensable. A book has been published that delves into the sources of inspiration of their designer, the genius designer and sculptor Flaminio Bertoni, tracing his 61-year life.

What Inspired Flaminio Bertoni, Designer of the Citroën DS? | BOOK — Debut of the Citroën DS at the 1955 Paris Motor Show Photograph by Stellantis

Bertoni was born in Varese, northern Italy, in 1903. He was eager to learn from a young age, devouring books on Italian art, but had to abandon his studies due to family circumstances. At 15, he found work as an apprentice at a local carrozzeria. Meanwhile, he rapidly honed his sculpting skills under artists associated with the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.

In 1931, at the age of 28, he moved to Paris with his lover and found employment at the then-nascent Citroën company. He gained the attention of company owner André Citroën by designing the revolutionary front-wheel-drive production car, the "Traction Avant" (1934). Concurrently, he achieved numerous acceptances at various art exhibitions in Paris with his own sculptures.

However, Citroën went bankrupt. Furthermore, during World War II, he was imprisoned twice for maintaining his Italian nationality. At the same time, he experienced instability in his family life as a consequence of his intense creative pursuits, and the struggles of being an in-house designer. Despite these hardships, he continued to explore the future forms of Citroën throughout the war and post-war periods.

The author is Akio Oya, a journalist who has lived in Italy for 20 years and has been a contributor to OPENERS for many years. From 2002 to 2020, he conducted interviews in both Italy and France with individuals who knew Bertoni, including his late son, and meticulously researched his numerous artworks.

Based on these findings, the book argues that the futuristic interior and exterior design of the DS was not a sudden flash of imagination, but deeply connected to his artistic works. It reveals that Bertoni's profound aesthetic sense was the reason he garnered devoted admirers, not only among car enthusiasts but also among intellectuals, including the philosopher Roland Barthes.

It is also intriguing that the somewhat kitsch design of the 1961 Citroën Ami 6, also designed by Bertoni, is revealed to have a logical foundation. Furthermore, the book touches upon how Citroën's design language, established by Bertoni, was inherited after his death.

The book includes numerous valuable design sketches and photographs left by Bertoni, as well as his artworks.

Bertoni's life and passion for his work serve as a significant benchmark not only for car design but for all those involved in design activities.

Flaminio Bertoni's artworks and Akio Oya, author of "The Creative Journey of Flaminio Bertoni, Designer of the Citroën 2CV and DS," at the Volandia Park of Aviation Museum.