One of Twenty-Three Sheets of Drawings of Glassware (Mirrors, Chandeliers, Goblets, etc.) 1850 - 1880

Here is the audio guide script: This sheet of drawings of glassware was made by Compagnia di Venezia e Murano. The design presents two chandeliers, each rendered with precision in pen and ink, and watercolor. Look at the intricate details of the glassware – the symmetrical layout of the light fixtures, the delicate curves of the floral ornaments. The chandelier on the left is adorned with colorful roses and ribbons, which contrasts with the monochrome design on the right. Note the careful construction of the chandeliers. Each component is rendered to highlight both form and function. The drawings display the structural elements of the chandeliers while incorporating aesthetic enhancements. These elements are not merely decorative; they reveal the cultural codes of luxury and craftsmanship prevalent in Venetian glassmaking. Consider how the piece destabilizes typical notions of utility through embellishment. The addition of floral ornaments suggests a blurring of boundaries between functional design and artistic expression. The drawing invites ongoing interpretation about value, luxury, and the artistic process.