Stefano & Marco Vianello
Keepers of ancient traditions
- Stefano opened his own company at the age of 24
- His work has taken him to the most beautiful palaces in Venice
- He works with his older brother, Marco
Stefano Vianello was 15 years old when he started an apprenticeship in a restoration company one summer holiday. After finishing high school, he was hired. Despite being very young, he was fortunate enough to work with some of the best venetian masters, assimilating the most ancient techniques. When he was 24, he decided to set up his own business and founded the Vianello Pavimenti, together with his brother Marco. They specialise in Venetian terrazzo – also called Venetian seminato – the typical flooring of the Venetian palaces. It is a type of technique born from the reuse of waste from the processing of marble and other stones, they are then mixed with lime or cement. It may contain coloured glass or semi-precious stones. Each terrazzo is a unique work of art: it is impossible to reproduce the same texture or pattern twice.
Interview
- What do you remember about being an apprentice?
- I was very young but I instantly loved the work. Every young person should try, at an early age, a work experience. Recently, the young generations have lost their connection with manual skills.
- Did you learn from a master?
- Alfredo Giolo was like a father to me. He was rude and ill-tempered, but over the years he taught me everything he knew. He really did treat me like a son – the good and the bad.
- How do you restore a Venetian terrazzo?
- We have two different procedures. We can reset the entire terrace, bringing it back to the original state or patch any missing parts.
- Could your craft be considered in danger?
- Italy is famous all over the world for its art and craftmanship, but – despite our company having increased turnover – we can’t find skilled craftsmen to hire.
Stefano & Marco Vianello are master artisans: they began their career in 1997 and they started teaching in 2005
Where
Stefano & Marco Vianello
