Art&Style

Lino Tagliapietra's Atelier

In Murano the showroom of one of the greatest glass masters in the world

by Lavinia Colonna Preti
Lino Tagliapietra’s Atelier — Veneto Secrets

In Murano there is the showroom of one of the greatest glass masters in the world, Lino Tagliapietra. Until December 15th here is hosted the exhibition "Lino and Friends" that puts his works in dialogue with those of internationally renowned glass artists with whom he has collaborated during his long career.

Lino Tagliapietra is a world legend of glass art. Born in Murano in 1934, he began working with glass at the age of 11. After collaborating with the main glass furnaces in the island, in the 1990s, he began to distinguish himself as an independent artist and designer. He became one of the most significant ambassadors of this art in the world, defined by many as “the greatest glassblower of all time.”

His prolific talent and innate curiosity soon led him to travel extensively, especially in the United States where he also became a teacher at the famous Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle, initiating various students into the tradition of Venetian glass blowing.

Lino Tagliapietra’s Atelier — Veneto Secrets
Lino Tagliapietra’s Atelier — Veneto Secrets

Lino Tagliapietra is the living bridge between the history of Venetian glass and the continuing wonders of what we now call the modern Studio Glass movement.

(James Yood, The Hands of the Maestro)

Through his teachings, Tagliapietra will irrevocably change the use of glass in America, giving rise to fruitful collaborations with his students and with many established artists.

The exhibition set up until December 15, 2024 at the headquarters of the Lino Tagliapietra Foundation, which hosts the showroom, is precisely dedicated to these. The Foundation was established by his family, and in particular his son Silvano, after the announcement of the artist’s retirement in 2024.

Lino Tagliapietra’s Atelier — Veneto Secrets

Tagliapietra has become famous for his highly evocative works, from the psychedelic geometric grids that distinguish his vases to the incredible flat slabs, boasting a pictorial charm, made with segments of filigree and multicolored cane overlapped, with patterns that only he can create.

On display are some of his masterpieces created from the 90s to today such as Fortuna (luck in Italian), a very difficult fusion of cane and murrine that precisely because of this was named “Luck”, the Dubai sculptures in blown glass with cane and incalmo tecniques, melted, shaped and ground, and the Africa vases with murrine and dots applied.

Lino Tagliapietra’s Atelier — Veneto Secrets
Lino Tagliapietra’s Atelier — Veneto Secrets

Among his friends exhibited we find, in particular, important American artists. Like the great Dale Chihuly, the first American to work as a glass furnace in Murano, who holds the record for having done the most visited exhibition in history with over 1 million visitors (the one set up in Jerusalem in 1999).

Or William Gudenrath, an expert in the glass working techniques used from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance, Richard Marquis, who combines the art of Murano glass with American pop art, and David Walters who creates wonderful characters and figures in glass enamels.

Lino Tagliapietra’s Atelier — Veneto Secrets

Book a visit to the showroom and let’s discover these extraordinary, unique, and unrepeatable works, which you will surely want to know more about or, if you are lucky, to collect them.

The Secret

Since the master’s retirement, his works have greatly increased in value, making him one of the most sought-after glass artists in the world art market.

Useful Info

Fondazione Lino Tagliapietra
Fondamenta Serenella 15/B
30141 Murano, Venezia
Tel. +39 041 736140

Free admission upon reservation murano@linotagliapietra.com

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