Routledge - Glassmaking in Renaissance Venice: The Fragile Craft

Explore the complex history of the Venetian glass industry through the eyes of historian Patrick McCray. This volume moves beyond technical details to examine how glassmaking functioned as both a technical and social phenomenon during the Renaissance. Readers will gain a deep understanding of how demand, production, and distribution shaped the industry. The text evaluates how luxury goods were sought after during this period and how technology changed as a social process. It also looks at the relationship between industry and government, providing a necessary look at how these forces interacted to shape a world-renowned craft. By placing this industry within its broader economic and cultural context, this book offers a fresh perspective on a craft that has traditionally been viewed through a limited lens. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of art, Renaissance economics, and the development of specialized industries.