Fantastic Creatures of the Venetian Lagoon

At the turn of the twentieth century, Venetian glassmakers adorned blown glass vessels with fabulous beasts sculpted from hot glass and dusted with gold, dazzling the senses. The artworks attest to both their makers’ imagination and virtuosity and represent a stunning revival of the Venetian glass industry. When glassmaking in Venice reemerged in the 1860s after a half-century of depression, an atmosphere of creativity and friendly competition arose among Venetian glass companies, including firms like Artisti Barovier, Fratelli Toso, and Salviati & C.

This unique and rare collection of 50 glass wonders will be on view in the Museum’s Glass Projects Space from February 23 to August 18, 2024.