1576-1614

Italian Glassmaker and Alchemist

Antonio Neri was a glassmaker who had an interest in chemical technology and alchemy. Best known for his book, L'arte Vetraria (The Art of Glass), written in 1612, Neri revealed many of the secrets of glassmaking. The book, colorful and detailed, has served as a basic reference for other essays on the subject ever since.

Antonio Neri was born in Florence, Italy, on February 29, 1576. The name of his father is not known, but it is certain that he was a physician. Little else is known about Neri's family background. Studying glassmaking and other chemical arts throughout his life, Antonio Neri did not attend university. Some suggest he learned glass-making at Murano, a famous and influential force in glassworks, but this fact has been disputed. It is not really known how Neri supported himself, but he did become an ordained priest before 1601. It...