Egidio Costantini
Master glass blower Egidio Costantini forged partnerships with the luminaries of his day. Bolstered by the enthusiastic support of Peggy Guggenheim, Costantini pledged to exalt glassblowing into a fine art, occupying the same sphere of painting and sculpture. The April issue of Art + Auction profiles “glass acts” from artists who endeavor to do the same. However, it’s arguable that no one since has married color and relief like the experienced hand of Costantini. This month mark the late glassblower’s 103rd birthday. We’ve acquired the beautifully illustrated, Il Maestro Dei Maestri (The Master of Masters) for the occasion. Below we preview from it three of his most stunning collaborations.
Max Ernst
This enormous chess set is designed to be used. Its movements are captured and reflected manifold, due in part to its multi-dimensional layers affixed on the themes of light, color, and transparency. Its creation came a from a time of deep distress for Costantini, a response to the disastrous flood that destroyed his foundry, lovingly coined Fucina degli Angeli by Jean Cocteau. According to Costantini, “The works that I made with Max Ernst are among the most wonderful that the Fucina has produced.”
Pablo Picasso
Though having met once before, when Picasso arrived in Venice, by way of invitation from Peggy Guggenheim, he immediately sensed the enormity of the master glass blowers ambition to exalt Italian glass blowing into a modern art. Acting as a translator to Picassos’s drawings and sketches, the pair produced very limited editions of their works unprecedented in their luminous and uncategorical designs.
Jean Arp
A dear friend of Costantini, their friendship was born from collaboration. It was once written, “the sculptor’s curve, at once strong and gentle, was wonderfully married with glass by Costantini.” Arp’s particular fascination with human-like oblongs, fashioned originally in wood, were given a fresh look in glass. He entitled them Poupée (Doll).
