Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Berry and Cobalt Chandelier
Medium: Golden Acrylic Paint on French Water Color Paper
Dimensions: 30" x 20"
Year: C. 1990-1995
Inscription: Signed "Chihuly" on bottom front
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity
A master of both glass and paint, Dale Chihuly's "Berry and Cobalt Chandelier" (c. 1990-1995) captures the dynamism and vibrancy that define his groundbreaking work. This original painting, executed in golden acrylic paint on French watercolor paper, serves as both an independent work of art and a conceptual study for one of Chihuly's iconic chandeliers. The composition radiates with bold, unexpected color contrasts—an electric cobalt chandelier floats against a lush berry-hued background, punctuated by luminous accents of yellow, orange, and green.
The use of golden metallic paint imbues the piece with a remarkable depth and texture, mimicking the iridescence and fluidity of his glass sculptures. The reflective sheen shifts with light, much like Chihuly's glasswork, reinforcing his mastery in translating three-dimensional form onto a two-dimensional surface. Signed "Chihuly" in striking turquoise at the bottom front, the painting embodies the artist's signature style—his intuitive, expressive brushwork mirrors the spontaneous energy of molten glass, capturing movement and brilliance in every stroke.
Chihuly's paintings have long been an essential part of his artistic process, allowing him to explore ideas that later take shape in glass. Yet, they also stand alone as vibrant expressions of his creativity, offering collectors an intimate glimpse into his artistic vision. Accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity, "Berry and Cobalt Chandelier" is a testament to Chihuly's ability to transform color, light, and form into an arresting visual experience. Please note that this piece is not currently framed.
About Dale Chihuly
Few artists have transformed their medium as profoundly as Dale Chihuly. A visionary in contemporary glass, Chihuly has spent more than six decades pushing the boundaries of what glass can be—turning it into a sculptural, immersive, and emotionally resonant art form. His breathtaking installations, from cascading chandeliers to expansive outdoor exhibitions, have drawn millions of visitors and redefined glassblowing as a fine art.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1941, Chihuly's journey into glass began during his studies in interior design at the University of Washington. His passion led him to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied under Harvey Littleton, the father of the American Studio Glass Movement, and later to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he both studied and taught. A Fulbright Fellowship brought him to Murano, Italy, where he was inspired by the collaborative approach of Venetian glassblowers—a philosophy that would later define his artistic process.
In the 1970s and '80s, Chihuly's work took on a new level of innovation. He moved beyond traditional glass forms, embracing asymmetry, fluidity, and vibrant color in series like Seaforms, Persians, and Macchia. A car accident in 1976 left him blind in one eye, forcing him to rethink his process. Instead of working alone, he shifted to a team-based model, directing artisans to bring his vision to life—an approach that enabled him to scale his work to monumental proportions.
Chihuly's installations have graced some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the de Young Museum in San Francisco. His Chihuly Over Venice project in 1996 and Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem 2000 drew international acclaim, while his Fiori di Como at the Bellagio remains one of the most famous glass artworks in the world.
Today, Chihuly's legacy is firmly established. His works are held in over 200 museum collections, and his influence on contemporary glass is unparalleled. Whether through his dynamic sculptures, immersive exhibitions, or ever-evolving explorations of color and form, Chihuly's work continues to captivate, inspire, and redefine the possibilities of glass art.