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Recognized for his elegant, detailed sculptures that coax light and color from the interior of glass, Lino Tagliapietra is one of the most sought-after artists in the medium. Renowned for his technical skill and experimental approach, vibrant patterns float in abstract vessels, suggestive of graceful, viscous motion. Lino Tagliapietra: Sculptor in Glass, a new book published by Monacelli, an imprint of Phaidon, chronicles the story of the artist, from apprentice to maestro to one of the foremost glassblowers in the world, surveying his extensive career with hundreds of photographs of his captivating, luminous compositions.

Hailing originally from Murano, an island in Venice famous for glassblowing traditions that can be traced back to the 13th century, Tagliapietra was distinguished as a Muranese maestro when he was only 21 years old. A highly sought-after accolade assigned to those who lead the piazza, or the workshop, maestros bear the secrets of the precise chemical compositions and are responsible for the final shaping of pieces.

During his seven-decade career, Tagliapietra developed a signature style, incorporating long, elegant necks and vibrant murrine, or glass canes that are cut into cross-sections to reveal patterns. In 1979, a young Dale Chihuly invited him to visit the Pilchuck School in Seattle to introduce Venetian techniques, which profoundly impacted international practices. While he retired in 2021, Tagliapietra continues to split his time between Venice and Seattle, and you can find his work in numerous galleries and museum collections around the world.

Find your copy of the artist’s monograph on Bookshop, and explore more of his work on his website.

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