Alfredo Barbini, a master of glass dies

Alfrdeo Barbini, “one of 20th-century glass’s greatest champions, died earlier this year at age 94. Barbini was honored at the Scuola del Vetro Abate Zanetti last December by the mayor of Venice and others, for his ”human and artistic qualities, his complete dedication to Murano glass, his skill of technical innovation and the extraordinary aesthetic quality of his production, the influence he had on all the generations that he saw grow, and his contribution to the development of the art of Murano glass in the world.”

The Barbino family had strong connections with Murano for many years, “as bead manufacturers, entrepreneurs and artists,” and he began to work at the furnace at the tender age of 14, soon creating work on his own. Noticing the interest he showed and the progress he was making with the production process, the owner gave him some unforgettable advice, “Feel free to go and work with the master and make what you wish.” Before reaching the age of 20, Barbini was already a master and in 1950 he opened his own glass factory. Since the 1960s, Alfred Barbini was at the cutting-edge of blown glassmaking. His works are exhibited in museums around the world including The Corning Museum of Glass. the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. By Andrea Tosi, GAS News, the newsletter of the Glass Art Society, Summer 2007.