Vetreria Vistosi 1945–1990

The descendant of a family who had been Murano glassmakers for hundreds of years, Guglielmo Vistosi opened the Vistosi furnace in 1945 to produce glass components for lighting. After his death in 1952, the direction of the company was taken over by his brother Oreste and his nephews Gino and Luciano. They carried on the line of production, serving as designers as well. Vistosi also sought the collaboration of many independent artists and professionals such as Alessandro Pianon, Peter Pelzel, and Fulvio Bianconi. During the ’60s, the company, successful for its essential forms and the sobriety of its colors, received many awards. During the following decade, its pieces were designed by Angelo Mangiarotti, Enrico Capuzzo, Gae Aulenti, Vico Magistretti, Elenore Peduzzi Riva, and Ettore Sottsass Jr. After the company’s change of ownership, the furnace produced glass components for lighting until it was closed in the early ’90s.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Alessandro Pianon, Vetreria Vistosi, 1960–1961
Alessandro Pianon
Pulcini, 1960–1961

Alessandro Pianon   PulciniVetreria Vistosi, 1960–1961

A group of Pulcini made of transparent glass decorated with murrine and multicolored rods.

Feet crafted in copper.
7 1/8 in. to 11 7/8 in. high
(18.1 to 30.2 cm)

Exhibitions:
2000, New York, Venetian Glass, Museum of Arts & Design;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Domus, 1962, April;
B. Nerozzi, 1987, nn. 130-133;
M. Heiremans, 1989, nn. 230, 231;
M. Karasik, 1989, n. 36;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1992, n. 119;
M. Heiremans, 1993, n. 249;
F. Deboni, 1996, n. 243;
M. Heiremans, 1996, nn. 209, 211, 212;
M. Barovier, 1996, n. 103;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 275;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 143;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 181;
A. Dorigato, 2002, p. 333.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Ettore Sottsass, Vetreria Vistosi, 1974
Ettore Sottsass
Morosina, 1974

Ettore Sottsass   MorosinaVetreria Vistosi, 1974

Vessel with elements in blue and green trasparent glass with trim in black glass.

Engraved: Sottsass /250 Vistosi.
11 3/4 in. high (29.8 cm)
Exhibitions:
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
M. Cousins, 1995, p. 100;
M. Barovier, B. Bischofberger,
M. Carboni, 1998, p. 17;
M. Romanelli, 2000, p. 191;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 194;
A. Dorigato, 2002, p. 354.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Ettore Sottsass, Vetreria Vistosi, 1974
Ettore Sottsass
Morosina, 1974

Ettore Sottsass   MorosinaVetreria Vistosi, 1974

Vase in lattimo glass with trim in black glass.

Engraved: E. Sottsass 149/250 Vistosi.
15 1/2 in. high. (39.4 cm)

Exhibitions:
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
M. Barovier, B. Bischofberger,
M. Carboni, 1998, pp. 14, 16;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 290;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 193.

Alessandro Pianon, Vetreria Vistosi, 1960-1961
Alessandro Pianon
Pulcino, 1960-1961

Alessandro Pianon   PulcinoVetreria Vistosi, 1960-1961

Pulcino made of orange trasparente glass, decorated with granzeoli made of glass grit. Feet crafted
in copper.

8 1/4 in. high (22.2 cm)
Exhibitions:
2000, New York, Venetian Glass, Museum of Arts & Design;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Domus, 1962, April;
B. Nerozzi, 1987, nn. 130-133;
M. Heiremans, 1989, nn. 230, 231;
M. Karasik, 1989, n. 36;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1992, n. 119;
M. Heiremans, 1993, n. 249;
F. Deboni, 1996, n. 243;
M. Heiremans, 1996, nn. 209, 211, 212;
M. Barovier, 1996, n. 103;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 275;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 143;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 180.