Murano Glass Planter Vase by Alfredo Barbini, 1970s

Glass planner made by Alfredo Barbini for Vetreria Barbini Murano, 70s.

Alfredo Barbini (1912-2007) one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century Murano glass. During the adolescence he learns the traditional techniques of the blowing of the glass at Cristalleria Franchetti and Saiar Ferro Toso. He then worked in the Fornace Zecchin-Martinuzzi alongside the sculptor Napoleon Martinuzzi, the collaboration lasted from 1932 to 1936 creating the first massive glass sculptures designed by Martinuzzi, this experience will be fundamental for his artistic formation. After the closure of the factory, he becomes the master of the first place at the V.A.M.S.A. (Muranese artistic windows Anonymous society). Here too his contribution is remarkable in the field of glass sculpture, and in that of thick materials, with particular chromatic effects, such as the so -called "smoke glass". He works on a drawing by the painter Luigi Scarpa Croce, including the table with the fish presented at the Venice Biennale in 1942. Later in 1946 he became artistic director of the Gino Cenedese factory until 1950 where he opens his own factory, Alfredo Barbini Vetrerie and can experience their creativity freely and can already be seen at the XXX Venice Biennale in 1960 with the submerged glass series of fish, tulips, Block with layers of glass of different shades and shades. Brilliant glass artist will continue his research alongside his children.