Luciano Vistosi (Italy), late 20th century lighting

Luciano Vistosi was born on July 25, 1931, in glassmaking city of Murano, Italy, and growing there he was immersed in the rich traditions of glass craftsmanship from a young age. He began his career as a glassblower, working with various Murano glass workshop where he learned the intricacies of working with glass, honing his skills and deepening his understanding of the material.

In 1945 Luciano Vistosi co-founded Vistosi S.p.A., a lighting company based in Murano, along with Guglielmo Vistosi and A.V. Mazzega. Inspired by the Venetian glassmaking tradition, he wanted to create lighting that was both beautiful and functional. Vistosi began by making simple glass lamps, but he soon began to experiment with new shapes and materials. He was one of the first glassmakers to use Murano glass to create large-scale lighting fixtures. Vistosi's designs were often whimsical and playful, and they quickly more... became popular with designers and homeowners all over the world.

In the 1960s, Vistosi began to collaborate with a number of renowned designers, including Gae Aulenti, Vico Magistretti, and Ettore Sottsass. These collaborations resulted in some of Vistosi's most iconic designs, including the Nebula lamp, the Zig Zag lamp, and the Sphera lamp.

Vistosi died in 1980, but the company continues to produce high-quality lighting fixtures that are inspired by his designs. Vistosi S.p.A. is now one of the leading lighting companies in the world, and its products are sold in over 50 countries. less...