Legacy and Nature: Emanuel Toffolo and the extraordinary insects in Murano glass

Emanuel Toffolo was born in Murano in 1982, immersed in the rich tradition of glassmaking that runs deep in his family. Following in the footsteps of his father, Cesare, a master of flameworked glass whose works are celebrated in galleries and museums worldwide, Emanuel grew up surrounded by the beauty of this artisan craft. His great-grandfather, Giacomo, and grandfather, Florino, were also esteemed glass masters, contributing significantly to the family's legacy. Florino, in particular, was the first lampworker in the Toffolo lineage, passing this art down to his son.

Upon graduating from the High School of Art in Venice in 2001, Emanuel developed a passion for flameworking. Initially starting the craft as a pastime in 2002, he explored flameworking without formal training, relying instead on his father’s encouragement and suggestions. His fascination with natural subjects, especially the world of insects, guided him to focus on reproducing various types of insects in glass. This passion was fueled by his love for nature, having begun as a simple pleasure that would transform into his life's calling.

Emanuel's work has garnered recognition; in 2013, he was selected as the Artist of the Month by the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, an organization dedicated to promoting glass art. His creations have been exhibited at renowned events like the Glass Weekend at the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville, New Jersey.

In 2014, Emanuel established his own glass studio in Burano, Venice, where he continues to refine his flameworking techniques and pursue his artistic vision. Burano has always been dear to Emanuel having lived there his first years of childhood and being his mother's birthplace. His commitment to capturing the delicate intricacies of insect life in glass has established him as a noteworthy contemporary glass artist, reminiscent of the famous Blaschka brothers, who were renowned for their naturalistic glasswork.

To protect his delicate glass insects, Emanuel developed a unique method of securing them to boards with glue and small screws, framing them in modern frames for display. This innovative approach not only preserves his intricate creations but also showcases them as pieces of art.

Alongside his artistic endeavors, Emanuel has been directing documentaries about glassmaking and, with his siblings Elia and Caterina, founded the InMurano. The Association raises awareness about Murano artistic-artisan tradition. It creates a solid platform to transmit knowledge and know-how of local glassworking while looking at solutions to promote Murano’s art as an excellent artistic handicraft in the future. Especially with "THE FLAME - the Art and the History of Lampworking", Emanuel and his team have taken a snapshot of Murano's art, glass masters, furnaces, mirror making, glass engraving, and glass decoration, through videos, images, and interviews.

Through his work, Emanuel Toffolo continues to honor his family’s legacy while carving out his unique niche in the world of glass artistry and promoting the artistic and artisan heritage of Murano.
We invite you to visit Emanuel in his workshop in Burano, where you will be able to appreciate up close the fine details of his creations: the thinnest antennas, delicate wings, and translucent bodies.
You can also find a small selection of his works at veniceoriginal.it.