Lina Bo Bardi, an Italian-born Brazilian modernist architect, is widely celebrated not only for her architectural designs but also for her innovative approach to exhibit design. One of the most remarkable examples of her unique vision is her creation of glass easels, which were initially developed for the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), a project she worked on extensively during the 1950s and 60s. These legendary glass easels are now on display at the Venice Art Biennale, attracting admirers from all over the world.
The story behind these glass easels begins with Bo Bardi’s radical rethinking of how art should be presented and viewer engagement in museums. Most traditional museums of the time displayed paintings on walls, creating a rigid and sometimes hierarchical experience. Bo Bardi, however, envisioned a more democratic and intimate interaction between artworks and visitors. She wanted to dissolve the barriers that separated viewers from art and offer a new spatial dynamic.
At MASP, instead of employing conventional wall-mounted systems, Bo Bardi designed an ingenious series of transparent glass easels. These free-standing, double-sided glass frames held paintings and could be placed anywhere within the gallery space. This innovation allowed each work to stand independently, emphasizing its individuality while simultaneously integrating it into a collective visual field. The result was a more fluid, accessible interaction where visitors could navigate around each piece freely, observing them from multiple perspectives without any obstruction.
The choice of glass as a material was both aesthetic and symbolic. It provided minimal distraction from the artwork itself — offering a “floating” effect — while reinforcing transparency and openness. This openness was reflective of Bo Bardi’s belief in accessibility to arts and culture.
Beyond their functional aspect, the easels are emblematic of Bo Bardi’s broader philosophy that design could shape social change by promoting egalitarian access to artistic experiences. Her innovative display system has since been hailed as revolutionary in exhibition design.
Decades later, as the Venice Art Biennale showcases these iconic glass easels, they not only stand as testament to Lina Bo Bardi’s visionary genius but also remind us of her enduring legacy in creating inclusive and immersive environments within cultural institutions. The easels continue to spark dialogue about contemporary museum practices and challenge us to rethink how we engage with art in public spaces.
