One Thousand and One Nights

The artist we present today, Vittorio Zecchin, was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Italian glass art and considered by many as the first truly Modern glass artist of Italy. Despite being a glass designer, Zecchin was also a painter, tapestry maker, and furniture designer. Today we present one of his most significant works, part of the Thousand and One Nights cycle created as a commission from the owners of the Terminus Hotel at Lido di Venezia. 

Regrettably, the Terminus Hotel no longer exists, having fallen victim to bombings during the Second World War. The precious paintings it housed, however, were safeguarded; some are now housed at Ca' Pesaro, the modern art museum in Venice.

Zecchin's artistic style drew influence from the vibrant polychromy of Gustav Klimt and the essential linearity found in the works of Jan Toorop. This fusion allowed him to craft a distinctive visual language characterized by the lively intensity of colors and meticulous execution, particularly notable in the intricate, multicolored details. Zecchin skillfully incorporated the Muranese murrina technique (a technique typical for glass makers from the famous Murano islands in the Venetian Lagoon) into his works, lending them a unique quality. This involved creating colored patterns or images in a glass cane that are then revealed when the cane is cut into thin cross-sections.

One can view this work as a grand mosaic composed of painted murrine, showcasing Zecchin's mastery of color and technique.

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P.S. Vittorio Zecchin was inspired by the art of Gustav Klimt. Let's take a closer look at some of Klimt's famous masterpieces! And for more Art Nouveau artists see the articles below.  :)