LA MOLERIA
Pietro & Riccardo Ferro
L A MOLERIA PIETRO & RICCARDO
FERRO
Modern · Post – War · Contemporary
LA MOLERIA (Mō - lair - ēya):
A SHOP SPECIALIZING IN GRINDING EITHER CRYSTAL OR GLASS.
For centuries, the island of Murano, within the Venetian Lagoon, has been renowned for its glassmaking studios and the artists who sculpt with molten glass and fire to create works of art that ignite the imagination. Following secrets that are passed down from Maestro to apprentice through training that can last decades, the tradition of glassmaking has endured and evolved through the centuries. To fully appreciate the importance of Pietro and Riccardo Ferro and their contributions to glass art making one must have an understanding of the history of Murano and the conventions, techniques, and tools employed in the creation of their works. Over the centuries and all around the world, objects made of crystal and glass have been born of silica and fire, creating molten glass that is then formed through blowing or sculpting with rudimentary tools and decorated using stone spinning wheels (today substituted by metal ones covered with abrasive materials), diamond scribing, and stipple engraving, among other tools. In Murano, the idea to carve glass and apply a cold technique to larger glass artifacts such as vessels, bowls, and platters is documented as far back as the 16th Century, following the Bohemian examples. However, Venetian Carved Glass, as we know it today, can be traced to the famous Italian architect Carlo Scarpa (Venice 1906 – Sendai, 1978). In 1940, working as the Artistic Director for the glass studio of Venini, Scarpa presented a collection of never-before-seen works at the 22nd Venice Biennale, including the Velati (veiled), which employed a light grinding process to create an opaque surface, and Battuti (hammered), which featured regular and deep cuts that appeared to have been tapped into the glass.
Since that time, Murano has seen these techniques evolve as the recognition of the Glass Grinders grew, allowing them the opportunity to achieve the status of Maestro over that of mere craftsmen.
In the purest tradition of the island, nothing in Murano comes easy and years of practice, dedication, and hard work do not guarantee admission to the short list of Master Carvers. And so it was for the Ferro Brothers. Pietro and Riccardo Ferro, born respectively in 1975 and 1980, followed in their father’s, Maestro Paolo, footsteps. Starting at a young age, they worked in different glass-factories until they became expert glass grinders for a few important studios on the Island. In 1999 Riccardo opened “La Moleria” with his father and was joined two years later by Pietro. Thanks to their ability and dedication, Pietro and Riccardo, over the years, have helped important glass artists to create some of their masterpieces: Lino Tagliapietra (1999-2003), Philip Baldwin and Monica Guggisberg (1999-2017), Davide Salvadore (2000-Present), Eva Moosbrugger (2003-2016), Afro Celotto (2003-2007), and Pino Signoretto (2007-2010), among others. They have also taught at the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School and at the Corning Museum of Glass. Having earned the titled of Maestros, the Ferro Brother’s works are found in the most important public and private glass collections in the world, and their commitment to innovation, design, and research prefigure a long and volcanic journey in the world of glass art. - Lisa Burgess
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Pietro Ferro
Riccardo Ferro 5
Plate #1: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2016 | Murano Glass | 22.50 x 12.50 x 7 in
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Plate #2: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 10.50 x 7.75 x 4 in
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Plate #3: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2018 | Murano Glass | 22 x 13.75 x 7.50 in
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Plate #4: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 21 x 11.50 x 7 in
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Plate #5: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 7 x 31.25 x 6 in
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Colore e Tocco UNDERSTANDING PIETRO & RICCARDO FERRO’S WORKS
While looking at any of the Ferro Brothers’ works of art — color and texture are what first catch the eye. Strong colorful layers, stacked upon one another look as if they have been applied to the delicate glass canvas by the careful hand of a master jeweler working on a Fabergé egg. They can be vivid, concentrated, and energetic but also soft, shaded, and humble. Texture is limitless! Large cuts can run through the glass, discovering unexpected nuances, while at the same time, thin and dense lines provide movement to the inert art objects. These works are also at times accompanied by series of perfect circles of differing sizes and depths, creating not only linear but organic visual compositions. The eyes are not the only parts of the body involved in this game of hide and seek for the Ferros’. These magnificent masterpieces beg to be touched. The glass, naturally cold and aseptic, becomes alive, shows its own personality, suggests emotions, and commences upon a sensorial experience for the viewer. Gentle hands roaming over their surfaces provide a tactile memory that stays with the observer long after this encounter.
Pietro and Riccardo cradle each item for hours, days and often weeks, grinding away layers to reveal what lies beneath. The different layers, through which Pietro and Riccardo create their magic, confide the secrets of their own natural creation; revealing only the complexity of a unique craftsmanship that make these two young Maestros capable to work with two, three, four and even fivestrata glass sculptures.
Some of the Ferros’ artworks look like multicolor candles, rapidly cut by their experienced hands to create a rainbow effect along their lengths. Others appear as Gaudiesque apparitions, sinuously melting atop each other in a surrealistic dance of translucency and light, while some may shatter before they are ever completed. Pietro and Riccardo’s glass pieces are a testament to the craftsmanship and professional tradition of Murano glassmaking— a magical world of elegant beauty.
- Sergio Gnesin, Curator
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Plate #6: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 21.375 x 11.50 x 7.5 in
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Plate #7: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 23.375 x 9.25 x 7 in
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Plate #8: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 21 x 10.375 x 7 in
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Plate #9: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 22.50 x 10.375 x 6.375 in
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Plate #10: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 22.50 x 10.125 x 7.50 in
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Plate #11: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 16 x 8.75 | Each
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Plate #12: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 21.125 x 12.125 x 9 in
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Plate #13: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 20.25 x 12.125 x 7.50 in
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Plate #14: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 31.25 x 22 x 11.50 in
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Plate #15: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 31.25 x 22 x 11.50 in
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Plate #16: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 53.50 x 22 x 19.50 in
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Plate #17: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 17.437 x 9 x 6.437 in
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Plate #18: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 14.56 x 11.50 x 7.50 in
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Plate #19: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 21 x 11.25 x 7.50 in
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Plate #20: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 59 x 23.50 in
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Plate #21: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 21 x 11.50 x 7 in
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Plate #22: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 21.375 x 12.125 x 7.50 in
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Plate #23: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 20.25 x 11.25 x 7.50 in
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Plate #24: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 22.50 x 12.50 x 9.50 in
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Plate #25: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 22 x 9.50 x 7.50 in
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Plate #26: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 31.25 x 31.25 in
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Plate #27: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 31.25 x 31.25 in
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Plate #28: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 26 x 12.75 x 7.75 in
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Plate #29: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 25.50 x 9.75 x 6.50 in
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Plate #30: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 14.56 x 11.50 x 7.50 in
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Plate #31: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 22 x 11.50 x 7.5 in
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Plate #32: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 22.50 x 12.50 x 9.25 in
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Plate #33: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 20 x 11.25 x 7.75 in
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Plate #34: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 21 x 11 x 6.25 in
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Plate #35: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 22 x 10 x 6.25 in
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Plate #36: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 40.25 x 22 x 2 in
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Plate #37: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 19.50 x 31.25 x 2 in
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Plate #38: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 19.50 x 19.50 x 2 in
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Plate #39: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 1.56 x 4.50 in
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Plate #40: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 47.125 x 11.50 in
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Plate #41: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 22 x 11.50 x 8.375 in
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Plate #42: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 17.43 x 9 x 6.43 in
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Plate #43: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2021 | Murano Glass | 21.125 x 11.25 x 7.50 in
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Plate #44: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2020 | Murano Glass | 39.25 x 13.25 x 3.50 in
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Plate #45: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 39.25 x 13.25 x 3.50 in
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This mirror was made in collaboration with AAV Barbini Specchi Veneziani
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Plate #46: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 70 x 55 x 9.25 in
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Plate #47: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2016 | Murano Glass | 21 x 12 x 7.75 in
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Plate #48: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 22.25 x 11.50 x 7.25 in
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Plate #49: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 20 x 11.75 x 7.50 in
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Plate #50: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 23 x 11 x 7.25 in
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Plate #51: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro | 2019 | Murano Glass | 19.75 x 11.25 x 7.5 in
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ABOUT NEW RIVER FINE ART
New River Fine Art is South Florida’s premier gallery for 20th Century Master, Pop, Post War and Contemporary Art. Located in the heart of historic Las Olas Boulevard for 24 years, the gallery uses its collection and resources to provide educational and cultural experiences for residents and visitors of South Florida.
The gallery infuses its impressive selection of Masterworks with a highly curated selection of emerging artists to create a collection that is both historically important and current with today’s art market. New River Fine Art’s clients are assisted by an expert staff dedicated to providing the highest level of service to our collectors.
ABOUT SERGIO GNESIN
Born 1974, in the small town of San Donà di Piave, near Venice, Gnesin is a Murano Glass Expert, connoisseur, and collector. He has learned glass design and techniques working in many of the studios in Murano. Gnesin has curated numerous glass exhibitions and is the author of “I Vetri di Ermanno Nason/The Glass Sculptures of Ermanno Nason” (2003) together with other catalogs and scholarly essays for glass exhibitions, glass-studios, and private foundations. He collaborates with Barbini Specchi Veneziani, Emanuel Toffolo, Pietro & Riccardo Ferro, Vetreria Pino Signoretto, and Zanetti Murano, just to name a few. Since 2017, Sergio Gnesin has offered his expert opinion to New River Fine Art and its collectors. As a sought-after glass expert, Gnesin is proud to curate La Moleria: Pietro & Riccardo Ferro, Contemporary Murano Glass exhi-
PHOTO CREDITS: Matteo Boem Shaun Cruz Additional images courtesy of Pietro & Riccardo Ferro
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Modern · Post – War · Contemporary
822 E. Las Olas Blvd | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Ph. 9524.524.2100 | newriverfineart.com 108