1912-1930: Murano glass and the Venice Biennale

Abstract

"The presence of Murano glass at the Venice Biennale dates back to the early twentieth century when these precious, fragile artefacts were occasionally exhibited at the event. It was only from the 1910s onwards that glass works were exhibited on a regular basis as objects in their own right, appearing in the rooms of the central pavilion from 1912 to 1930. It was not until 1932 that glass and the decorative arts were given their own dedicated space in the Giardini with the construction of the Venezia pavilion. This volume examines this significant period which saw Murano glass gradually finding its place at the Venice Biennale, first through the artists choosing to use this material for their works, and later through the glassworks, sometimes drawing upon the creativity of painters and sculptors. This catalogue, which is the result of extensive bibliographic and documentary research in the Biennale historical archive, as well as in public and private archives, features period photographs, drawings, and documents, many previously unpublished, showcasing the works exhibited in the various Biennales. This glass production is exemplified through a careful selection of over 130 works by artists and glassmakers who played a leading role in a historical moment marking the entry of a so-called minor art into the realm of major arts: from the glass of Hans St. Lerche to the works of Vittorio Toso Borella, Teodoro Wolf Ferrari, and Vittorio Zecchin; from the connubi di ferro e vetro (literally, 'marriages of iron and glass') by Umberto Bellotto to the engraved glass designed by Guido Balsamo Stella. And further still, from the glass produced by V.S.M. Cappellin Venini & C. and by M.V.M. Cappellin & C., based on the designs of Vittorio Zecchin, to the pieces produced by V.S.M. Venini & C., based on the designs of Napoleone Martinuzzi, and by the Vetreria Artistica Barovier"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents

The breath of Venice / Renata Codello -- Introduction / Marino Barovier -- Murano glass at the Venice Biennale 1912-1930 / Marino Barovier -- Hans St. Lerche: art glass 1912-1920 / Carla Sonego -- Glass enters the Biennale 1895-1914 / Rosa Barovier Mentasti -- "A distinguished artist with extremely good taste." Guido Balsamo Stella at the Venice Biennale exhibitions (1924-1930) / Stefania Cretella -- Viewing guide -- 10th Venice Biennale, 1912. Hans St. Lerche ; Vittorio Toso Borella -- 11th Venice Biennale, 1914. Umberto Bellotto ; Hans St. Lerche ; Vittorio Toso Borella ; Teodoro Wolf Ferrari, Vittorio Zecchin -- 12th Venice Biennale, 1920. Umberto Bellottto ; Hans St. Lerche -- 13th Venice Biennale, 1922. Umberto Bellotto ; Vittorio Zecchin -- 14th Venice Biennale, 1924. Guido Balsamo Stella ; Umberto Bellotto ; V.S.M. Cappellin Venini & C. / Vittorio Zecchin -- 15th Venice Biennale, 1926. Guido Balsamo Stella ; M.V.M. Cappellin & C. / Vittorio Zecchin ; V.S.M. Venini & C. / Napoleone Martinuzzi -- 16th Venice Biennale, 1928. Guido Balsamo Stella / Ferro Toso & C. ; Fratelli Barovier ; M.V.M. Cappellin & C. ; S.I.V.A. ; V.S.M. Venini & C. / Napoleone Martinuzzi -- 17th Venice Biennale, 1930. Ferro Toso & C. / Guido Balsamo Stella ; S.A.L.I.R. / Guido Balsamo Stella ; Fratelli Barovier ; V.S.M.Venini & C. / Napoleone Martinuzzi.