Glassblowing is a venerable tradition on Murano. The early twentieth century saw radically new artistic departures: in 1932 Antonio Seguso and his sons Archimede and Ernesto joined forces with Napoleone Barovier and Luigi ‘Olimpio’ Ferro to found Vetretia Artistica Barovier & C.; the name of the firm was changed to Seguso Vetri D’Arte in 1937. The turbulent era of the company’s history – marred by some severe economic downturns – ended in 1973 when it was taken over by Maurizio Albarelli. Today it is owned by Gianluca Seguso. On entering the firm in 1945, Flavio Poli turned the programme around to make it fresh and contemporary. Thus Seguso Vetri D’Arte became the leading glass factory on Murano. Flavio Poli’s designs chimed perfectly with the 1950s and ’60s zeitgeist. Winning the most prestigious awards (including the Milan Triennale and the Venice Biennale), his creations in glass were now launched to worldwide acclaim. We are indebted indeed to Marc Heiremans, the author of the present publication, for devoting years of hard work at various Murano sites to tracking down almost all the Seguso archive material (from the company’s beginnings): an incredible treasure trove (some 30,000 drawings alone), which he has been evaluating, working up and subjecting to meticulous scholarly treatment for the past ten years. The fruits of his labours are presented in this book, which is essentially a catalogue of works. Unfortunately, the quantity of material unearthed is so vast that it could not be covered in a book of this kind. Hence the author has had to limit himself to publishing a selection of material.
About the author
In 1986, Marc Heiremans opens his gallery ‘Novecento’ in Ghent, which he relocates to Antwerp in 1989. His thorough interest in renewing movements within the European glass and ceramics production during the twentieth century leads to the creation of a renowned personal archive. Especially his research on Italian Murano glass establishes his reputation as an international expert. In this capacity he was instrumental in the developments of several important glass collections in Europe and North America. In 2000 he transfers his gallery to Brussels. He is a member of the Royal Chamber of Antiquarians of Belgium and the Belgian Chamber of art experts. Marc Heiremans is the author of standard publications among which Twentieth century Murano glass, from craft to design (1996), Dino Martens, Muranese glass designer (1999), Art ceramics, pioneers in Flanders (2006) and Seguso Vetri D’Arte, glass objects from Murano, catalogue raisonné 1932-1973 (2014).
Exhibitions and projects
1986 - Gallery Ghent: Andries Dirk Copier, Leerdams glas 1923-1971
1987 - Gallery Ghent: Leerdam Unica, 1923-1987
1988 - Gallery Ghent: Veronika Pöschl, Antonio Lampecco, Mari Mészáros
1989 - Gallery Antwerp: Murano glass 1945-1970
1996 - Museum of Decorative Arts Ghent: Twentieth century Murano glass
1997 - Corning museum of glass (USA): speaker symposium ‘Italian glass 1930-1970’
2000 - Gallery Brussels: Postwar Murano glass
2002 - Gallery Brussels: European ceramics 1945-1970
2006 - Design museum Ghent: Kunstkeramiek in Vlaanderen, 1938-1978
2007 - Gallery Brussels: Amphora-Perignem ceramics
2013 - Museo del Vetro Murano (I): Seguso Vetri D’Arte 1932-1973
2013 - Design Museum Ghent: Seguso Vetri D’Arte 1932-1973
2014 - Consultant Christie’s New York: The Barry Friedman collection of Italian glass
This magisterial book is a feast to read: well-designed and so well-made it leads the reader through the factory history on the families, the products and glass blowers. The Seguso Archive shows a vast collection of designs, objects, documents, photographs and glass negatives, catalogues of figurines, tableware, vases, table sets and the like. In the chapter Objects the book shows page-large full colour photos on individual objects with captions on the title, year and collection. On the pages Dating one can find the different periods with the used techniques as well-described summaries, name of technique and photo. In Expositions the public appearances of Seguso Vetri D’arte between 1933 and 1972 is listed with hand drawn designs on paper, then in Decals and Signatures one can find the numbers and logos and signatures. The book closes with the Epilogue – Seguso today, A tradition since 1397 describing that the firm is back in family’s hands, as Heiremans is talking to Amelio Cenedese family member of the twenty-third generation, who is continuing tradition designed in a contemporary way. Well succeeding in cherishing the past, preserving the knowledge and conveying the beauty!
A book all should have, to learn our future from Seguso’s past.
Angela van der Burght
