Exploring Venice, Murano, and the Art of Glass Beads through Tracy Chevalier’s Vision
Venice, with its dreamy canals and labyrinthine streets, is a city steeped in timeless beauty. But nestled just a stone’s throw away is the island of Murano, a place with an equally rich legacy—one forged in fire, colored in precious minerals, and shaped by centuries of craftsmanship. It is here that Tracy Chevalier sets her luminous new historical novel, The Glassmaker.
As the host of the Flavor of Italy podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tracy Chevalier about her latest novel, The Glassmaker, which has captured the imagination of readers worldwide. From the shimmer of molten glass to the intricate art of bead-making, Chevalier’s novel is both a sweeping saga and an ode to a vanishing world of artistry. If you're fascinated by Italy, women's history, or the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glass, this story—and the story behind the story—is for you.
A Historical Novel Rooted in Venice and Murano
Tracy Chevalier, best known for her novel Girl with a Pearl Earring, has once again turned her keen eye to the world of artisanship, this time focusing on glassmaking in the Venetian lagoon. The Glassmaker spans an astonishing 500 years of history, beginning in 1486 in Murano and ending in post-pandemic Venice. The novel follows Orsola Rosso, a fictional glass bead maker from a family of glassmakers—most of them women—who, against the odds, crafts her life and legacy in a male-dominated profession.
What makes The Glassmaker especially compelling is the novel’s bold treatment of time. Chevalier’s characters do not age in step with the centuries. Like skipping stones, they float through time, remaining alive while the world changes around them. This poetic bending of time not only adds a dreamlike quality to the narrative but also reflects the timeless essence of Venice itself—a city that feels both suspended in history and vibrantly alive.
The Real History Behind The Glassmaker
Murano glassmaking has been renowned since the 13th century, when Venetian authorities moved all glass furnaces to the island to reduce fire hazards in the densely built city. Over time, Murano became the world capital of glass artistry. While much of the industry was dominated by men, Chevalier was inspired by the little-known fact that women, too, played a significant role—especially in beadmaking.
In fact, in 2020, Venetian glass beadmaking was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, further highlighting the importance of preserving this delicate art. The designation was awarded jointly to Italy and France, acknowledging centuries of glass bead artistry and trade across Europe and Africa. In The Glassmaker, Chevalier masterfully weaves this rich history into the Rosso family's journey, giving voice to generations of women who contributed to the glass trade from the domestic heart of Venice.
One of the real historical figures who appears in the novel is Marietta Barovier, the only documented woman of the Venetian Renaissance to run a glass furnace. Her invention of the Rosetta bead became a prized object of trade and prestige. In Chevalier’s novel, Barovier serves as a mentor to Orsola, offering readers a bridge between historical fact and richly imagined fiction.
A Story Sparked by Serendipity
The idea for The Glassmaker came to Chevalier in 2010, when an Italian reader suggested she explore Venetian bead making. Though initially uncertain, she held onto the books he gave her. Years later, during one of her regular trips to Venice for the Biennale, the idea resurfaced—and this time, it stuck.
Drawn to the physicality of making art and the stories that emerge from craft, Chevalier decided not only to research beadmaking but to try her hand at it. She took workshops with Murano bead artist Alessia Fuga, whose tips—including one involving chopsticks and honey to simulate molten glass—found their way into the book.
The sensuousness and struggle of manipulating molten glass come alive on the page, thanks in part to Chevalier’s hands-on approach. She believes deeply in understanding the art her characters practice, and this immersive method gives her descriptions a vivid, tactile resonance.
Murano’s Magic and the Flow of Time
Chevalier was fascinated by the idea of setting an entire novel in one place—Murano—but spanning five centuries. Venice’s physical and emotional isolation, combined with its constant sense of suspended time, made it the perfect setting for a story in which characters appear to live for centuries.
As she explained in our conversation, the pandemic itself reinforced this theme. During lockdowns, many of us lost our usual sense of time. Days blurred into each other, weeks passed unnoticed. In this context, the idea of timelessness felt both natural and poignant.
Chevalier describes time in The Glassmaker as behaving like molten glass: fluid, unpredictable, impossible to grasp. She invites readers to “just go with it,” much like one must when walking through Venice’s narrow calli or taking a gondola ride under a moonlit sky.
The Red Beads of History
One especially memorable moment in The Glassmaker involves Orsola creating a necklace for Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon, who visits Venice shortly after the French conquest. Orsola designs a necklace of blood-red beads, symbolizing both beauty and violence, charm and power. The choice of color, name (Rosso), and material brings together many themes of the book: passion, artistry, womanhood, and resistance.
Glass beads, once used in trade routes spanning continents, take on rich symbolic meaning in the novel. They represent not only wealth and power but also the hidden contributions of women working behind the scenes, often at their kitchen tables.
The Many Faces of The Glassmaker
Curious readers may notice that The Glassmaker has multiple covers—each tailored to its market. The UK edition features stylized circular panes reminiscent of vintage glass windows. The US cover evokes water and glass in dreamy blue-green hues. Other versions—French, Italian, German, Australian—highlight different aspects of the story, from Venetian architecture to classical portraiture. All reflect the multifaceted nature of The Glassmaker and its international appeal.
Venice and Its Food: A Flavorful Backdrop
No story set in Venice would be complete without mention of its cuisine, and Chevalier doesn't disappoint. Venetian culinary staples such as sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour sardines) make appearances throughout the novel, grounding characters in their historical and cultural context. Interestingly, though not a fan of sardines herself, Chevalier grew to love this dish during her research—a testament to Venice’s power to seduce all the senses.
Will The Glassmaker Become a Film?
Given its rich setting, sweeping timeline, and dramatic arc, The Glassmaker seems destined for the screen. Yet, as Chevalier explained, recreating Venice across five centuries would be an immense undertaking. The logistics, costs, and need to control light, weather, and access in a fragile city like Venice make filming particularly challenging. Still, we can dream.
The Legacy of a Timeless Woman
Orsola Rosso, Chevalier’s unforgettable heroine, is a character who lingers. Refusing to be bound by gender norms or historical limitations, she survives across centuries, always evolving, always making. Through her, Chevalier offers a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the female spirit.
Whether you’re drawn to The Glassmaker for its lush Venetian setting, its historical depth, its magical realism, or its celebration of women’s artistry, this novel is a triumph. It's also a poignant reminder that the things we make—whether glass beads, stories, or memories—can outlast us, glinting across time like sunlight on the lagoon.
Would You Like to Know More About Venice or the Veneto Region?
If The Glassmaker has sparked your interest in Venice and the wider Veneto region, be sure to delve into more of my blog posts for in-depth travel tips, cultural insights, and culinary treasures. There's so much more to discover beyond the pages of a novel—like the vibrant world of Venetian Murano glass beads, a centuries-old art I explored in detail after speaking with a local bead maker and researcher based right here in my town. You’ll find rich history, fascinating trade routes, and a craft that’s still thriving today (read more here).
If you’re curious about Venice’s culinary side, don’t miss my post that dives into the flavor of the city—from cicchetti and lagoon seafood to the traditions that shape Venetian cooking (discover more here).
Art lovers will want to explore the secrets behind Tintoretto’s Paradise, one of the world’s largest oil paintings, housed in the Doge’s Palace. This post uncovers the mystery and history behind the masterpiece (explore the story here).
Interested in wine? You’ll love my insider’s guide to Venetian wines and winery visits just outside the city. Learn about the best Prosecco producers and plan your perfect day trip through the rolling hills of the Veneto countryside (read more here).
And if you’re fascinated by regional celebrations, take a look at my story about Verona’s Carnival, the oldest in Italy, filled with gnocchi, pageantry, and centuries of tradition (explore the celebration here).
These posts are just a few windows into the magic of Venice and the Veneto region. Whether you're drawn by art, food, wine, or history, there’s more waiting for you to discover on my blog—so keep exploring at flavorofitaly.com!
Have you read The Glassmaker yet?
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