Enrico De Bortoli

LaboratorioEDERA

Wood marquetry maker

©Tommaso Meneghin

Illusions in wood marquetry

Enrico learnt restoration techniques and the art of inlays
He restores antique furniture as well as building his own pieces
Wood marquetry is his signature skill

Enrico De Bortoli was born in Montebelluna and now continues to live and work near Treviso, in the town of Trevignano, a territory he loves and in which he feels rooted. In 2011, after graduating with a degree in political science, Enrico decided to follow his love for art and took up training in restoration techniques at the International University of Art in Venice. Here he was an enthusiastic pupil, and today is an enthusiastic teacher. After attending the school, he started working for a Friuli restoration workshop, contributing to the restoration of furniture and wooden elements in many local historic buildings and churches. In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Enrico decided to open his own cabinetmaking and restoration workshop, called LaboratorioEDERA, where he also creates his wood marquetry artworks.

Interview

©Tommaso Meneghin

©Tommaso Meneghin

How did you come to this craft?: It allows me to combine my passion for art and my inclination for manual work. Crafting with my hands I can restore antiques to their original beauty and integrity but and I can also create new original objects.
Why did you call your workshop LaboratorioEDERA?: In Italian EDERA is the acronym of Enrico De Bortoli, Ebanista Restauratore Antichità, that means cabinetmaker and antique restorer. Over the years I learnt many techniques but since I was a child my parents taught me to use different materials and components to build new functional objects. I love to create with a problem-solving approach.
How has your region and its traditions influenced you?: For sure I have always been inspired by all the local artistic beauties but also by the natural landscape. I love using wood from the trees of our native forests to create my works.
How do you choose your pieces of wood?: In order to have a wide variety of woods, with different colours and grains, I look for unconventional wood types, some of which are no longer in use. I often carve the boards I need directly from the stems of old plants that are cut by farmers in the surrounding countryside. Every wood has its own story to tell.

Enrico De Bortoli is a rising star: he began his career in 2020 and he started teaching in 2020