Marco Franzato

Marco Franzato is a fenestrer, a master glassworker who blends glass and metal to create vibrant stained-glass windows, but also lamps, mirrors and vases. The entrance to his workshop in Calle del Tentor is unmistakable—its leaded glass door speaks volumes before even stepping inside.

Marco’s journey began at the Art Institute, where he mastered techniques like glass fusion and lampworking. Stained glass, a subject he studied extensively, became his passion. When his teacher retired, Marco took over her workshop, continuing the tradition of lead-bound stained glass. Over 30 years, he has refined his craft, designing intricate full-scale cartoons for templates, cutting glass to shape, and assembling the pieces with lead and tin. While Medieval techniques and tools remain intactly at the heart of his work, modern soldering has helped streamline part of the process.

Working with French, American, and Murano glass—plus the occasional pieces he creates himself—Marco is an expert of the intricate Tiffany method, a technique that revolutionized the production of stained glass by introducing the use of copper foil instead of traditional lead. This allowed for finer and detailed designs, as the copper foil could be wrapped around the edges of each glass piece and then soldered together, increasing durability while allowing greater artistic expression.

Collaboration and experimentation define Marco’s career. He has worked with other artisans and artists to expand his creative boundaries. His restoration projects include Venetian landmarks such as the Doge’s Palace, Doge’s Palace, Ca’ Pesaro as well as churches like San Zaccaria. These works have cemented his reputation as a premier craftsman in his field.

Beyond the creation and restoration of leaded glass panes, Marco creates lamps, vases, mirrors, and jewelry. His artistry is highly sought after, especially by international clients who value his personal and innovative approach to this millennia-old art form.