One of Twenty-Three Sheets of Drawings of Glassware (Mirrors, Chandeliers, Goblets, etc.)

Art Historical Context

Step into the shimmering world of 19th-century Venetian glass with *One of Twenty-Three of Drawings of Glassware by the Compagnia di Venezia Murano, created between 1850 and 1880. This delicate drawing, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints, captures an array of exquisite glass objects—mirrors, chiers, goblets, more—showcasing the company's mastery in designing opulent lighting and decorative wares. Measuring 14 x 19 inches, it's part of a larger series that highlights the firm's role in Venice and Murano's enduring glass tradition. Murano, an island near Venice, has been synonymous with superior glass craftsmanship since the Middle Ages, and by the mid-1800s, companies like Compagnia di Venezia e Murano were fueling a revival amid industrial innovation. These sheets likely served as design prototypes or trade catalogs, bridging artistry and commerce by illustrating intricate forms for manufacturers, exporters, and elite clients. Their presence in The Elisha Whittelsey Collection underscores their value as historical documents of luxury goods that lit up Europe's grand interiors. Executed on translucent tissue paper with pencil, pen and ink, and watercolor, the work employs layered techniques for luminous effects, mimicking the reflective sheen of glass itself. This multifunctional medium allowed for precise detailing and easy reproduction, revealing how technical drawings fueled the era's decorative arts boom. A fascinating glimpse into the fusion of sketchbook creativity and entrepreneurial spirit!

About the Artist

Compagnia di Venezia e Murano · 1872–1909

**Compagnia di Venezia e Murano: Reviving Ancient Glass Mastery** The Compagnia di Venezia e Murano (C.V.M.), a pioneering Venetian glass firm, emerged from the vision of English archaeologist Austen Henry Layard, antiquarian William Drake, and lawyer Antonio Salviati, who founded it in 1866 in London as Salviati & C. Layard, drawing on his expertise in ancient artifacts, directed the company—ren...