Exhibition Catalogue: Murano – A Century of Glass (1920–2020)

For centuries, Murano has been synonymous with excellence in the art of glassmaking. Yet, beyond its Renaissance heritage, the island also became, in the 20th century, one of the most innovative centres of European artistic creation.

From the 1920s onwards, glassworks opened their doors to painters, sculptors, architects and designers. First in the workshops of Cappellin and Venini, and later in those of many other firms, artists and master glassmakers worked together to develop a new visual language. Traditional techniques such as glassblowing, murrine, filigree and incalmo were not merely preserved: they were adapted, transformed and pushed towards new forms, colours and uses.

From 1920 to 2020, this dialogue continued to evolve. From Italian creators to international artists, each brought a distinctive vision to Murano, while glassmakers placed their expertise at the service of an ever-evolving creative process.

Bringing together more than 250 works, 10 glassworks and 35 artists, the catalogue accompanying the exhibition offers an overview of a century of Murano glassmaking on an unprecedented scale in France. Featuring works from public and private collections, it invites readers to rediscover an art form in which mastery of the material and artistic innovation are in constant dialogue.

A century during which Murano continually transformed glass into a medium for freedom, experimentation and modernity.