Dear art lover, today I present to you a treasure hidden in the digital archive of the Giorgio Cini Foundation’s Glass Study Centre. This is the extraordinary legacy of Seguso Vetri d’Arte, the famous Murano glassworks that has left an indelible mark on the art of glassmaking.
Ninety years after its birth, the documentary heritage of this historic and prestigious company is finally accessible online free of charge. An unmissable opportunity for art history enthusiasts and all those who wish to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of artistic glass.
The archive of the historic Murano glassworks Seguso Vetri d’Arte published online
Seguso Vetri d’Arte, an undisputed protagonist of the art of glassmaking since its inception in 1933, contributed significantly to the revival of the Murano glass industry in the 1930s. Thanks to the creation of numerous works of art in glass and also thanks to the genius of master glassmaker Archimede Seguso and the artistic vision of Flavio Poli, who was the artistic director of the glassworks for a long time, the company reached heights of success and international recognition.
Archimede Seguso, a true inventor in the field of techniques and experimentation, opened up new horizons for the art of glassmaking. On the other hand, Flavio Poli contributed his talent as a designer to simplifying shapes and creating innovative colour combinations. Their synergy led to the production of iconic works such as the famous ‘submerged’ glasses, which have made Seguso Vetri d’Arte a benchmark in the field of glass art. These works were awarded the prestigious ‘Compasso d’Oro’ prize in 1954.
Seguso Vetri d’Arte’s analogue archive, consisting of an enormous quantity of drawings, plans, photographs and furnace catalogues, has been the subject of a lengthy process of securing, reordering and digitisation. Thanks to the joint work of the Centro Studi del Vetro and the ARCHiVe Centre, we can now explore the rich heritage free of charge on the Cini Foundation website.
The archive has more than thirty thousand images, including 13,311 period photographs, 22,479 drawings and more than thirty-five thousand digital catalogue cards, covering the period from 1933 to 1973.
Now, both art historians and the general public can access this precious archive through specific queries and advanced research. This initiative offers an extraordinary study tool to deepen knowledge of the art of glassmaking and the innovations introduced by Seguso Vetri d’Arte over the years.
If you are passionate about art and want to have a unique experience, I recommend you book a visit to the Glass Study Centre, which has recently moved into the beautiful Messina Hall of the Cini Foundation. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of art glass, explore the archive and discover the secrets behind Seguso Vetri d’Arte’s creations. Then, of course, you can’t fail to visit the Murano Glass Museum, admire the splendid Barovier Cup and then immerse yourself in the myriad of Venice museums to see.
The art of glassmaking is a precious treasure that deserves to be explored and preserved. Thanks to the Centro Studi del Vetro digital archive and the generosity of Seguso Vetri d’Arte, we can continue to celebrate the art and creativity of this extraordinary Murano company for many years to come.