Attributed to Angelo Brotto

Attributed to ANGELO BROTTO (Venice, 1914–2002) for Esperia.
Brutalist wall sconce, Italy, c. 1970.
Steel and art glass.
Features three light sources.
Measurements: 50 x 50 x 9.9 cm.
More than just a wall sconce, this piece was conceived as a sculpture, in which the art glass takes center stage. The steel structure incorporates three light sources and frames a panel of hand-crafted, molded glass, enriched with reliefs, bubbles, and a subtle blend of fused colors that create depth and a constant interplay with the light. The surface, with its almost mineral-like appearance, transforms light into a dynamic element that alters the perception of the work depending on the viewer’s perspective. Brotto’s aesthetic influence is evident in his exploration of the sculptural qualities of glass—a legacy of the Venetian tradition reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. In keeping with the Brutalist sensibility, the piece celebrates the material and texture without sacrificing elegance, striking a balance between formal strength and artisanal refinement.
Angelo Brotto was a renowned Italian artist and designer known worldwide for his work with glass. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice in 1941. Immediately afterward, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commissioned him to paint frescoes in Montenegro. Throughout his career as a designer, he won numerous awards, including those in Bergamo, Cremona, Suzzara, and Verona. In the 1960s and 1970s, Brotto collaborated with the lighting manufacturer Esperia, breaking the established rules of the lighting industry and creating entirely groundbreaking new designs.