Luciano Vistosi
Luciano was constantly searching for absolute designs, leading him to put quality of materials first, closely followed by style. He had a strong belief that drawings were only the starting point of a design, eventually leading to the creation of his glass sculptures. Luciano Vistosi held a vast number of solo exhibitions and took part in various exhibitions around the globe.
Video: Masters of Murano
A portrait of the master glass makers Luciano Vistosi, Lino Tagliapietra and Alfredo Barbini. After a brief view of Venice and Murano, the three artists are displayed in the workplace. Lino Tagliapietra is shown together with sticks, Luciano Vistosi makes a plate and Alfredo Barbini makes a bowl with the use of sticks. While working, all artists discuss their work.
Video: Expo Luciano Vistosi
Luciano Vistosi Exhibition in Murano.
Video: Luciano Vistosi’s Munega
Vistosi promo for the Munega, a similar lamp by Luciano Vistosi and how it is made in the glassworks.
Links (external links open in a new window)
Vistosi company history – Vistosi website
Luciano Vistosi – Murano glass Museum website
Biography of Luciano Vistosi – Murano Glass Museum website
Inexhibit: The sculpture of Vistosi at the Murano Glass Museum
Murano glass blowing Wikipedia
Vintageinfo
Luciano Vistosi Nessa Table Lamp
Materials: White opal hand blown crystal Murano glass, terminating clear at the base. Chromed metal round adjustable joint to connect the silver painted Bakelite socket to the glass.
Height: 38 cm / 14.96”
Width: 40 cm / 15.74”
Electricity: 1 bulb E27, 1 x 75 watt maximum, 110/220 volt.
Any type of light bulb can be used. Preferably a white/opaque or frosted one.
Period: 1970s – Mid-Century Modern.
Designer: Luciano Vistosi (1931-2010) in 1972.
Manufacturer:Vistosi, Murano, Italy.
Other versions: No other versions of this Luciano Vistosi Nessa table lamp exists. Similar lamps were designed by Luciano and made by Vistosi, but they all have a different name.
This lamp was designed by Luciano Vistosi for Vistosi in Italy in 1972. It is made of hand blown crystal glass, in milky/white and clear glass. The Vistosi and Murano labels are still present. It is a striking piece, being very modern but also at the same time fully displaying the design of the 1960s and 1970s.
Described in 1000 Lights Taschen 2005 Vol.2, page 286.
Luciano Vistosi was born February 24th, 1931 on the Murano Island. He died in Venice onMay 14th 2010.
“…At home, I rarely heard anyone speak of sculpture: we would only talk about painting. And yet, the forms were there: they were created every day in the furnace. I might say that I have always thought three-dimensionally, in a sculptural way.” (Luciano Vistosi, 2003)
The electric parts of this lamp were made by VLM Components from Buccinasco, near Milan, also in Italy.
Vistosi
Early Origins
The story of Vistosi begins in Murano with the Gazzabin family, who acquired the Al Bastian furnace in 1640. Soon after, the family name “Vistosi” emerged, and by 1791Gio-Batta Vistosi had become Gastaldo dell’Arte, head of the Murano glassmakers’ guild.
A New Beginning after the War
In 1945Guglielmo Vistosi, heir of the Gazzabin family, opened a new furnace in Murano right after World War II, focusing on lighting. Following his premature death, his sons Gino and Luciano, together with their uncle Oreste, laid the foundation of the modern Vistosi company.
The Design Revolution of the 1950s–1980s
The arrival of Venetian architect Alessandro Pianon in 1956 marked a turning point. With Gino and Luciano, he transformed the company into a pioneer of innovation and modern design.
From the late 1950s to the 1980s, Vistosi collaborated with some of the most influential names in design, such as Angelo Mangiarotti, Gae Aulenti, Ettore Sottsass Jr., Massimo Vignelli, Adalberto Dal Lago, Stefania Giannotti, Elleonore Peduzzi Riva, Vico Magistretti, Michele De Lucchi and many others. This golden era produced some of the most iconic Vistosi lighting, now highly sought after by collectors.
The Moretti Era
In 1989 the brand was acquired by Murano businessman Giancarlo Moretti, who had long experience in the glass industry. His son Matteo Moretti later relaunched the company after a short closure in the 1990s, expanding it with the acquisition of brands such as Alox, G2 and Triade.
The last of the founding generation, Luciano Vistosi (1930 – 2010), devoted his later life to research and glass sculpture, leaving a lasting artistic legacy.
Innovation and Recognition since the 2000s
From the early 2000s, Vistosi entered a new phase of experimentation and recognition. Collections such as Rina, Cheope09 and Minigiogali updated traditional techniques for contemporary forms. Later came Giogali 3D, a new interpretation of the famous chandelier, and Diadema, created with a unique patented rod process. Award-winning designs like Futura, Nodo, Trepai, Jube, Sata, Stone and Armonia confirmed Vistosi’s relevance in international design.
In 2019 the company celebrated the 50th anniversary of Giogali, and in the following years it was recognised among the 100 Eccellenze Italiane, partnered with the Venice Glass Week, and launched a Virtual Museum, e-commerce platform and LED collections.
Designers of the Contemporary Period
Under the Moretti family, Vistosi worked with a wide range of contemporary designers, including Chiaramonte & Marin, Mauro Olivieri, Barbara Maggiolo, Paolo Crepax, Monica Agnolazza, Silvio Zanon, Giovanni Barbato, Matthias Hickl, Roberto Maci, Alberto Nason (son of Carlo), Romani Saccani Architetti Associati, Gregorio Spini, Emmanuel Babled, Oriano Favaretto, Marco Acerbis, Castaglia Associati, Pio e Tito Toso, Renato Toso, and Noti Massari & Associates.
A Defining Design
A remarkable fact in Vistosi’s history concerns the famous Giogali chandelier series. Although countless catalogues, books and online sources credit the design to Angelo Mangiarotti, it was in fact created by Gino Vistosi himself – according to Gino Vistosi’s daughter.
