Venice Exhibition Chronicles the Fusion of Contemporary Art and Murano Glassmaking

A new exhibition opening at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice from November 14, 2026, to March 29, 2027, tells the story of a unique artistic collaboration that bridged contemporary art and traditional Murano glassmaking. Curated by art historian Cristina Beltrami, the show focuses on the Fucina degli Angeli gallery, founded in the 1950s by a visionary figure who united more than 100 international artists with Murano’s master glassblowers.

The gallery was established three years after an experimental phase that sought to reinterpret glass art beyond the commercial decorative pieces typical of traditional furnaces like Venini. Unlike large-scale, commercially driven productions, this initiative emphasized artistic innovation and individual expression through glass.

The exhibition presents over 100 works, including glass pieces, paintings, and sculptures, displayed across 11 rooms organized by artist and theme. It features glass translations of works by renowned artists such as Max Ernst, Oskar Kokoschka, Lucio Fontana, and Paul Jenkins. The show also includes archival materials from the Fucina degli Angeli, which have never before been thoroughly examined.

The name “Fucina degli Angeli” (smithy of the angels) was suggested by French writer and artist Jean Cocteau, a close collaborator who contributed designs and frequently engaged with the Murano glassmakers. Austrian Expressionist Oskar Kokoschka also played a symbolic role, donating a sketch of two angels holding an anvil dedicated to the gallery and its founder.

Behind the scenes, Peggy Guggenheim’s support was crucial. Her acquisitions helped sustain the gallery financially, and her connections enabled the exhibition of these glass artworks across Europe and even at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibition sheds light on her vital yet little-documented role in promoting this artistic fusion.

The Fucina degli Angeli remained a pioneering force in Venetian glass art until the 1970s, when other glassmaking companies began to emerge as competitors. This exhibition offers a comprehensive look at a significant chapter in the evolution of glass art, emphasizing the creative dialogue between contemporary artists and traditional Murano craftsmanship.