Barovier&Toso Foundation Launches on Murano Island

The Barovier&Toso Foundation has been established on Murano island, headquartered at Fondamenta dei Vetrai 28, the historic site of the world's oldest glassworks, founded in 1295. The family-run company, renowned for Venetian blown crystal art, announced the initiative, which will take about two years to complete. President Rinaldo Invernizzi leads the foundation, with a board including Mara Hofmann and Michele Milani. The project aims to create collaborations with international artists and institutions. The foundation will focus on critical research, cataloging, and digitization of thousands of documents and artifacts, making them accessible for the first time. Its archive currently holds 22,000 drawings by Ercole Barovier, numerous technical designs for chandeliers, historical photos, documents, tools, and a collection of nearly 200 historical production objects. Beyond preserving artistic heritage, the foundation intends to become an international reference point, welcoming designers, artists, and collectors, and activating collaborations with schools and universities through seminars and workshops. Invernizzi described the foundation as a historic moment, a custodian and disseminator of unparalleled artistic and technical heritage spanning over seven centuries, serving as a bridge to the future and a laboratory for experimentation.