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TECHNIQUES


ARTISTIC CRAFTSMANSHIP

The conception of the subject of the stained glass window and the creation of the scaled sketch are the first stages that the artists at Studio d'Arte e Architettura Albertella must face. These steps are crucial because it is only at that moment that an emotion, an idea, or a feeling can be transferred from the mind to paper and then, subsequently, to the glass. Once the sketch is created, it moves on to the full-scale drawing on tracing paper, where all the details, shadows, and lights must be defined.

Stained-glass windows

Since 1905, the "Studio d'Arte e Architettura Albertella" has been shaping and molding glass into unique works such as stained-glass windows, skylights, vertical glass walls, partitions, backlit artworks, artistic countertops for public spaces, and installations for exhibitions.

The glass artworks created by Studio Albertella are crafted using techniques including hand-painting (Grisaille) with “GranFuoco” firing (in line with ancient medieval traditions), polychrome natural glass binding, Tiffany binding, and glass fusion.

The painted glass pieces, in addition to the cutting of design templates with double-bladed scissors, the precision cutting of glass tiles with diamond-tipped wheels, double-strength wire binding, and soldering, feature specialized techniques such as filettatura (ground pigments mixed with fatty essences), bistratura (ground pigments diluted in water), inceratura (virgin beeswax applied along the edges of the glass tiles), patinatura, and firing in the muffola (an ancient kiln).

The entire process, from design to installation, is meticulously overseen, with particular attention given to the relationship between the stained-glass artwork and its surrounding environment. The Studio designs and executes works for villas, hotels, places of worship, shopping centers, ships, yachts, airports, theaters, stations, museums, and hospitals.

In addition to creating new pieces, the Studio also specializes in the restoration of artistic stained-glass windows.


Glass fusing

The technique of glass fusing makes it possible to obtain compositions with bending and shaping effects by fusing glass tiles of different colours but with the same expansion coefficient at around 900°C.

Design

In the design phase, based on the study of the environment and discussion with the client, various solutions are realised to give the client the opportunity to choose the ideal one. The design involves the use of materials such as steel, wood, stone materials and of course glass in all its forms. The use of automation, electronics and information technology allows the materials to perform at their best.
Studio Albertella Genoa

Images ©Studio d'Arte e Architettura Albertella snc