MASTERS of MURANO

M A S T E R S of M U R A N O

MASTERS of MURANO

914 EAST LAS OLAS BOULEVARD - FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33301 | 954.524.2100 | WWW.NEWRIVERFINEART.COM

FOREWORD Murano is an island of beauty, passion, jealousy and creativity but most of all it is a place where artists, for hundreds of years, eat, think and live glass.

Glass making on the island of Murano dates as far back as the 8th Century A.D. and flourished with the Orient and Middle Eastern trade routes of Marco Polo. Venetian glass was a highly-prized treasure and chandeliers, goblets and ornamental glass carried the trade through the 18th Century. After that time, politics and competition drove the island into decline and Murano languished until the end of the WWII. This is where our story begins.

The 20th Century renaissance in Murano can be traced to one woman, American socialite Peggy Guggenheim. Settling in Venice after WWII, Guggenheim set about introducing her circle of artist friends, including Pablo Picasso, Jean Arp, Marc Chagall, Modigliani and her husband at the time, Max Ernst, to the wonders of glass.

Working through Edigio Costantini, founder of Fucina degli Angeli (Foundry of the Angels) these icons and many others collaborated with the Masters of Murano to interpret their art into glass. It is the art of creation and the artists who created, that is the focus of our exhibition, Masters of Murano.

At the center of Murano’s glass renaissance stood Ermano Nason. Working as a Maestro for Costantini’s Fucina degli Angeli, he transformed the designs of Picasso, Arp, Ernst and others, into stunning glass sculptures. Throughout his career, Nason acted as the thread connecting the other masters in our exhibition. He worked at several Murano studios including Cenedese where he created works for Italian artist Fulvio Bianconi and where Antonio Da Ros, Artistic Director, was recognized as the master of color and sommerso glass, together with Flavio Poli, who was the Art Director at the Seguso studio. Always adhering to Murano’s centuries old tradition of Master and Apprentice, Nason helped acclaimed artist Pino Signoretto develop his skills and reach the pinnacle of glass creation.

New River Fine Art proudly presents Masters of Murano, a visual journey that ties the island’s art to the most important artists of the 20th Century.

ERMANNO NASON Ermanno Nason (1928 - 2013) Ermanno Nason was born in Murano to one of the island’s oldest families of glassmakers who trace their roots back to 1300. Following the tradition of Master and Apprentice, little Ermanno was standing at the age of 7 at the door of his father’s glass blowing shop, learning the trade from his father, uncles and brothers. He left school and shared his time between his father’s workshop and the Scuola “Abate Zanetti” per apprendisti vetrai (The Abbott Zanetti School for glass blowing apprentice) night school, where he mastered his trade.

The most difficult period for Nason was undoubtedly the War, when he was reduced to making drinking glasses and utilitarian objects that were in demand in order to survive.

Nason reconciled himself, like all of Murano, to wait for the end of war to be able “to say something” with his art.

Soon after, Nason’s opportunity “to say something” materialized while he was first Maestro at the glass workshop “Mazzega”. An unknown gentleman came in one morning with a folder full of drawings. He showed the drawings and asked whether it would be possible to reproduce them into glass. From that prodigious meeting in 1953 until 1959, Nason created artists’ designs for Egidio Costantini’s Fucina Degli Angeli, including ones by Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall, Jean Cocteau, Max Ernst and many others.

Nason went on to create his own designs and collaborate with other artists during his storied career including Aldo Bergamini and Fulvio Bianconi. From 1964 to 1971, Nason was First Master glassblower at Gino Cenedese studio. He made works based on his own designs and in close collaboration with the leading designer Antonio Da Ros. In 1969 he carried out monumental glass sculpture designed by the American painter Harold Stevenson and in 1970 his work, as executor of Da Ros’s designs, was exhibited at the Venice Biennale. From 1972 to 1994 he had his own factory, where he created poly-chrome glass sculptures based on his own designs.

This phrase, “to say something” often turned up in meetings with the artist. The Maestro Nason lived in a parallel world made of figures and sculptures that were not mere works of art, for the simple fact that they did not wish to be. They were and are material creations of the spirit of a man who has given form to thoughts, ideas and designs that, even when originating from others, still retain an unmistakable imprint that make them his own.

ERMANNO NASON Mask, 1985

Transparent, iridescent glass with filaments and applications.

2O inches high Unique piece Sold with original drawing Provenance: Ermanno Nason Private Collection Reference: Gnesin p. 132-133

ERMANNO NASON after Pablo Picasso Devil (Faun), 1959

From an original idea of Pablo Picasso, a devil in grey glass, worked from a block and highly iridescent.

11.5 inches high Signed “OMAGGIO A PICASSO 1959 E. Nason (Tribute to Picasso) Provenance: Private Collection, Venice, Italy Reference: Gnesin p. 41

ERMANNO NASON after Renato Guttuso Water Carrier, 1959

Transparent glass with colored glass applied all over the iridescent surface from the original sketch of Renato Guttuso.

16.7 inches high Signed “OMAGGIO A GUTTUSO 1959 E. Nason� (Tribute to Guttuso) Provenance: Private Collection, Venice, Italy.

Reference: Gnesin p. 34-35

ERMANNO NASON after Pablo Picasso Water Carrier, 1959

A rare figural vase showing a woman carrying a pitcher, made of transparent glass, dappled with lattimo and with black filaments applied. From an original idea of Pablo Picasso. Picasso originally designed this work as a ceramic in 1947, then reworked the design for glass after Peggy Guggenheim urged him to work with the Maestro of Murano.

15.7 inches high Signed “E. Nason OMAGGIO A PICASSO� (Tribute to Picasso) Reference: Gnesin p. 43

ERMANNO NASON after Fulvio Bianconi Lady, 1959

Figurative blown glass vase with applied filaments. Executed by Ermanno Nason in 1959, this piece was initially designed by Fulvio Bianconi for Cenedese (where Nason was a leading master glass- blower at the time) in 1950 and was part of a collection exhibited at the Venice Biennale.

8.6 inches high Signed “omaggio A BIANCONI E.Nason 1959� (Tribute to Bianconi) Provenance: Ermanno Nason Personal Collection Reference: Gnesin p. 44-45

ERMANNO NASON after Fulvio Bianconi Bottle, 1959

Blown transparent glass with applied glass filaments.

13.7 inches high Designed by Fulvio Bianconi in 1950 for the 1954 XXVII Venice Biennale Executed by Ermanno Nason in 1959 Provenance: Ermanno Nason Personal Collection Reference: Gnesin p. 38

ERMANNO NASON Vase, 1975 ca.

Iridescent vase decorated with applied filaments, gold leaf inclusions, Graeco-Roman figures and decoration.

Original drawing included.

Signed Sold with original drawing Provenance: Ermanno Nason Personal Collection Reference: Gnesin p. 92-93

ERMANNO NASON Toucan, 1978

Solid smoky glass sculpture.

13.2 inches high Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida Reference: Gnesin p.120

ERMANNO NASON Panther, 1976

This panther, caught right before the leap, was created from one solid block of glass.

8.7 inches high and 12.2 inches length Signed twice Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida Reference: Gnesin p. 96-97

ERMANNO NASON King of Diamonds, 1982

One-of-a-kind piece with incalmo head, applied filaments, gold and silver leaf.

19.3 inches high Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Venice, Italy Reference: Gnesin p. 126-127

ERMANNO NASON The Athletes’ Fountain, 1986

Blown glass with colored filaments applied all over the surface.

19.9 inches high Air bubbles within the 4 beaked spheres Signed Sold with original drawing Provenance: Personal Collection Ermanno Nason Reference: Gnesin p. 134-135

ERMANNO NASON Bull, 1989

Large blown glass sculpture of a bull.

11.2 inches high and 14.2 inches in length Signed Provenance: Personal Collection Ermanno Nason Reference: Gnesin p. 176

ERMANNO NASON Goat, 1980s

Thick transparent glass with applications of lattimo, black and red.

10.6 inches high and 14.6 inches in length Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Murano, Italy Reference: Gnesin p. 174

ERMANNO NASON Oil Lamp, 1985

Transparent blown glass with multicolor applications and significant use of gold leaf.

18.7 inches in length and 8.9 inches high Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Murano, Italy Reference: Gnesin p. 131

ERMANNO NASON Grebe, 1980s

Blown glass with an uninterrupted lattimo (milky glass) spiral and applied filaments.

19.7 inches high Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Venice, Italy Reference: Gnesin p. 151

PI N O S I G N O R ETTO MARTIN BRADLEY Pino Signoretto (b. 1944) Born in 1944 in a small town near Venice, Maestro Pino Signoretto is recognized as one of the preeminent glass sculptors in the world today. He trained with celebrated Venetian maestros Alfredo Barbini, Ermanno Nason and Angelo Seguso and became a master himself in 1960, manipulating glass with uncommonly high skill.

In 1985, he made his first of many trips to Japan where he has a permanent exhibition at the Museum of Venetian Art in Otaru, Japan. Signoretto’s work is held in numerous museums including Corning Museum, NY and the Museum of Glass, Tacoma WA. Signoretto has worked with international artists and architects, including Dali, Chihuly, Martin Bradley and Maestro Lino Tagliapietra, and in many materials, but he remains committed to glass, which he calls the “unrivaled Master of my life...” ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Martin Bradley (b. 1931) Martin Bradley was born in Richmond, Surrey, England. At the age of fourteen he shipped as an ordinary seaman on the South America route. In the years at sea he started drawing and painting. Five years later he returned to London and in 1954 had his first one man show. In Paris, his work was represented by Galerie Rive Gauche where among others Max Ernst, Tanguy and Magritte exhibited.

Martin Bradley has found his own way of expression in his colourful, imaginative painting influenced by Miro, Paul Klee, COBRA, prehistoric cave paintings and Japanese caligraphy. Throughout the years the list of Martin Bradley´s exhibitions has become very comprehensive and his work is held in numerous museums including the MOMA in New York. Bradley now lives with his wife, Tatsuko, in Japan.

MARTIN BRADLEY & PINO SIGNORETTO Totem Pole, 1996

Glass sculpture executed by Pino Signoretto for Marco Polo Glass Factory and Studio, Murano. Sommerso glass with colored inclusions, and glass buttons applied.

Squared glass base Provenance: Private Colleciton, Miami, Florida Reference: Contemporary Art in Glass, Hong Kong Visual Arts p. 79, 88

MARTIN BRADLEY & PINO SIGNORETTO Pelican, 1996

Glass sculpture executed by Pino Signoretto for Marco Polo Glass Factory and Studio, Murano.

Mixed technique.

19.9 inches high Signed Provenance: Private Colleciton, Miami, Florida Reference: Contemporary Art in Glass, Hong Kong Visual Arts p. 79, 84

MARTIN BRADLEY & PINO SIGNORETTO Faun, 1996

Glass sculpture designed by Bradley and executed by Signoretto for Marco Polo Glass Factory and Studio, Murano.

Blown and massello glass; silver leaf.

17 inches high Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida Reference: Contemporary Art in Glass, Hong Kong Visual Arts p. 82, 87, 97

MARTIN BRADLEY & PINO SIGNORETTO Rabbit, 1996

Glass sculpture deigned by Bradley and executed by Signoretto for Marco Polo Glass Factory and Studio, Murano.

Blown lattimo and sommerso glass; wood 16.5 inches high Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida Reference: Contemporary Art in Glass, Hong Kong Visual Arts p. 76, 79, 89

E G I D I O CO STANTI N I Egidio Costantini (1912 - 2007) Egidio Costantini was born in Brindisi on April 22, 1912. He moved to Venice with his family in 1918 and as a young man held jobs as a radiotelegraph operator and bank clerk before developing an interest in working with glass. Before embarking on his own glassmaking career, Costantini began as an agent for several Murano glass factories in Venice, which allowed him to work with master glassblowers to learn the intricacies of the trade.

Costantini wanted to elevate the craft of glassblowing to the same level as sculpture or painting, so he mediated collaborations between glassblowers, including Ermanno Nason, artists, and himself to create glass sculptures based on drawings made by contemporary artists which led to him founding the Centro Studio Pittori nell’Arte del Vetro di Murano in 1950.

The American socialite and art collector, Peggy Guggenheim, had moved to Venice in 1949 and the two became acquainted. In 1954, with Guggenheim’s encouragement, he went to Paris to promote his project to the most famous artists of the time, and this led to collaborations with Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Jean Arp, Max Ernst, and others. It was Jean Cocteau who lovingly coined Costantini’s project and subsequent studio “Fucina degli Angeli”, the Forge of the Angels.

Egidio Costantini died at the age of 95 in his house in Venice.

EGIDIO COSTANTINI after Jean Arp Star, 1964

Blue glass tile by Jean Arp for Fucina degli Angeli. This star became the symbol of the glass factory.

6.2 inch diameter Signed Provenance: Egidio Costantini Personal Collection Reference: 900 Di Vetro, Cultural Exhibit at the Museo didattico della Seta, p. 30

EGIDIO COSTANTINI after Max Ernst Face, 1964

Designed by Max Ernst for Fucina degli Angeli in iridescent Alexandrite glass tile.

7.8 x 6.7 inches Provenance: Egidio Costantini Private Collection Reference: 900 Di Vetro, Cultural Exhibit at the Museo didattico della Seta, p. 31

EGIDIO COSTANTINI after Max Ernst Chick, 1964

Transparent light blue glass tile designed by Max Ernst for Fucina degli Angeli.

6.7 x 7.8 inches Signed Provenance: Egidio Costantini Personal Collection Reference: 900 Di Vetro, Cultural Exhibit at the Museo didattico della Seta, p. 31

S E G U S O V E T R I D’ A R T E

SEGUSO VETRI D’ARTE Duck, 1970s

Sommerso glass; black shading into smoky gray.

5.9 X 10 inches Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida

SEGUSO VETRI D’ARTE Pigeon, 1980s

Massello glass with shading from black to transparent.

5.1 inches hgih Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida

Circle of Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Elephant, 1950 ca.

Elephant in brown sommerso glass with a layer of controlled micro bubbles and transparent glass; tusks in lattimo, murrinas for the eyes.

6.10 inches high and 5.25 inches wide

ANTONIO DA ROS

ANTONIO DA ROS Dove, Early 1970s

Lattimo, light blue, yellow and transparent sommerso glass

by Antonio Da Ros, Artistic Director, for Gino Cenedese & Figlio, Murano. Da Ros is considered to be the master of color during the 60s and 70s.

Eyes applied Signed Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida

ALFRED BARBINI

ALFRED BARBINI [1912-2007] Crab, 1950s.

Glass crab submerged in a transparent carved and polished glass block.

Barbini is considered by many experts to be the finest of all Murano masters and is credited with inventing many modern glass techniques.

5.9 x 3.9 x 2.5 inches Signed

G I N O MAZZE GA

GINO MAZZEGA Bowl, 1960

“A Fasce” bowl layered with red and blue submerged into transparent glass.

17 x 10.6 x 4.5 inches Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida

F LAVI O PO LI

FLAVIO POLI [1900-1984] Corroso Vase, 1960s

Small vase in sommerso corroso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso with two shades of amber, one inside the other and the surface completely etched with acid.

5.10 inches high and 7.11 inch diameter Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida

F U LVI O B IAN CO N I

FULVIO BIANCONI Fazzoletto, 1950s

Small vase by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini with white filigrana a reticello rods.

Three line acid stamp Venini Murano ITALIA H. 4.2 inches high Provenance: Private Collection, Miami, Florida Reference: Art Glass from Murano, Arnoldsche p.213

914 EAST LAS OLAS BOULEVARD - FT. LAUDERDALE, FL | 954.524.2100 | WWW.NEWRIVERFINEART.COM