This book is published by Magazzino Italian Art Foundation on the occasion of the exhibition Carlo Scarpa: Timeless Masterpieces curated by Marino Barovier at the Robert Olnick Pavilion at Magazzino Italian Art Museum, Cold Spring, NY September 14, 2023–March 31, 2025.
© 2024 Magazzino Italian Art Foundation
About the Artist
Carlo Scarpa (Venice, June 2, 1906–Sendai, Japan, November 28, 1978) attended the Architecture courses at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, obtaining the title of Professor of Architectural Design in 1926. Between 1925 and 1926, he worked on the construction site of Palazzo da Mula, the headquarters of M.V.M. Cappellin & Co., where he also collaborated as a glass designer from 1926 to 1931. After the company’s bankruptcy, he continued to work with glass at the Venini glass works, creating new extraordinary glass series between 1932 and 1947. From 1936 to 1937, he worked on the restoration of Ca’ Foscari, a Gothic building that serves as the main seat of the University of Venice. After World War II, Scarpa began a long collaboration with the Venice Biennale (1948- 1972), creating high-quality exhibition designs. His work, which also includes interior architecture and residential projects, particularly stands out in the fields of museography and restoration. Among his museum projects are the Galleries of the Accademia in Venice (1948-1955), Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo (1953-1954), the expansion of the Canova Gipsoteca in Possagno (1956-1957), the Castelvecchio Museum in Verona (1958-1974), and the Querini Stampalia Foundation in Venice (1961-1965). One of his most notable works is the Tomba Brion in San Vito di Altivole (1969-1978).
About the contributors
Marino Barovier was born in Venice in 1945 into one of the oldest families of Murano glass masters. Since 1983, he has been involved in 20th-century Murano glass and contemporary glass. His passion has led him to deepen his knowledge on the subject, building a substantial archive rich in historical documentary material, including numerous catalogues from glass manufacturers and a vast iconographic repertoire. As an expert and connoisseur of the field, he curates major private collections of Italian and international Venetian glass from the 20th century. He actively promotes and curates exhibitions on this topic, personally contributing to the editing of catalogues for various exhibitions. Since its opening in 2012, Barovier has served as curator of exhibitions on 20th-century Venetian glass at Le Stanze del Vetro, Fondazione Cini, on the Island of San Giorgio in Venice. These exhibitions mainly focus on the history of the Venini glass works. Additionally, he has authored specific texts on the art of glassmaking.