Dino Martens was an Italian glass artist who worked in the Murano glass industry in the first half of the 20th century. He is considered one of the most important artists of the modernist movement and his pieces are highly sought after by collectors all around the world.

Martens was born in Venice in 1894 and was trained as a painter at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. He joined the Venini Glassworks in 1926 and quickly became one of the most important designers of the company. He was responsible for creating many of the innovative designs that characterized Venini’s glass production during this period.

One of Martens’ most important contributions to the Venini glassworks was the revival of the a reticello technique, which had been used in the 16th century but had fallen into disuse. Martens developed new variations of this technique, which involved creating a network of tiny bubbles inside the glass, and used it to create many of his most famous pieces.

One of Martens’ most valuable pieces is a vase called Murrine Millefiori, which he created in 1949 for Venini. The vase incorporates traditional techniques such as murrine and filigree, but also features a more abstract design that illustrates Martens’ interest in modernist art.

Another valuable piece by Martens is a sculpture called “Tentacoli,” which he created in the 1950s. The sculpture was made using the reticello technique and features a complex network of fine glass threads that intertwine and twist around each other. The sculpture is considered a masterpiece of Venetian glass art and is highly prized by collectors.

Martens’ work was highly influenced by his interest in modernism and abstract art. He often incorporated bold colors, asymmetrical shapes, and unconventional forms in his pieces. He was also interested in ancient techniques and would often mix them with modern techniques to create unique and innovative designs.

Martens died in 1970, but his legacy lives on in his beautiful and innovative glass pieces. His work continues to inspire contemporary glass artists today and his pieces are highly valued by collectors all over the world. If you’re interested in learning more about Dino Martens and his work, be sure to visit the many museums and galleries that feature his pieces.