Leonardo da Vinci
a range of colors moving from the deepest to the most subtle has been employed.
continuing towards the center. Blue-grey becomes violet, then turns lilac
and then pink-amber, reaching a transparent crystalline. The central sphere
is created in hues that range from pale amber to golden yellow. Over this
colored background, a constellation of luminous dots like an infinite
cluster of galaxies can be made out. These belong to the same range of hues
as the marbles and glasses of the Basilica's central nave so that they are
integrated with the various surrounding elements.
blown and custom-made thermally-shaped glasses.
shape. Usually to obtain a large dome' s curvature, the flat surfaces are
assembled at certain angles to produce the shape, like facets of a cut
stone. This implies a simpler construction, however the curvature is
neither soft nor continuous. Here, instead, the procedure was modified:
before assembling the pieces with lead, once all of them were cut, they
were baked to give them the necessary curvature to achieve the hemisphere,
a very delicate task made even more so because it was the first time in the
world a glass window had been constructed in this way. For this purpose,
support from the Mexican artist, Marco Romero, was obtained. Once the glass
pieces were curved, they were put together by the Artesanos de Vidrio team
in Vitrum studio in Mexico City. The effect achieved has been very
harmonious with the continuous curve of the Roman cupola. Thus, this
Crystal Dome, in addition to its artistic value, represents an
extraordinary technical feat.
world, was made according to the artist' s specifications by Fremont
Antique Glass factory in Seattle, Washington.
American culture and the pioneering energy of its arts and crafts. Most
of the language of the piece was developed by Maestro Quagliata during the
vibrant years of his artistic life in America.
