Vision problems, just have a pair of glasses! Today it is certainly not difficult to solve them given the progress of medicine and science and the avant-garde of orthoptic instrumentation. However, until the precious lenses were invented, visual impairment was a great affliction for the entire humanity.
The first eyewear in history
According to historical sources, towards the end of the thirteenth century the idea of solving this annoying problem took shape in the world of intellectuals. In fact, the first glasses in history should be those invented in Pisa in 1286. The date is inspired by the sermon of the Dominican friar Guglielmo da Pisa who, in 1306, wrote the Florentine Lent. In the ancient text we read that "it was not yet twenty years that the art of making glasses was found, which make one see well, which is one of the best and most necessary arts that the world has”. It should also be noted that the sermon is the first document in which the word 'glasses' appears in the Italian language.
Mark of distinction
Glasses immediately became a sign of distinction for high-ranking characters: doctors, men of letters, scholars of various kinds. But, as some works of art also attest, the precious lenses also appear on the faces of great historical and religious figures. Another particular note is that, it seems that already at the time of the Romans those who had vision problems resorted to special glasses to see better. Among the many hypotheses, the one according to which everything stems from the discovery of being able to enlarge objects and printed characters thanks to the magnifying glass is highly quoted. And so we begin to use glass to better visualize things or to read more fluently. A modality, apparently, much used by the Roman philosopher Seneca.
The writer Pliny narrates that "Neronem princem gladiatorum pugnas spectasse smaragdo”. An affirmation which, for many, is the testimony of Nero's use of an emerald for optical purposes during gladiatorial games. Other important documents on this invention, which is among the most important in the history of mankind, can be found in Veneto. In fact, in Treviso, inside the Chapter Hall of the Dominican convent of the church of San Nicolò, you can admire the painting of Cardinal Ugone of Provence signed by Tommaso da Modena in 1352. This fresco is one of the first evidence of the use of glasses. This also confirms that, as early as 1100, a Venezia the production of lenses was now consolidated. A production born from the great art of glass that, yesterday as today, sees Murano as its driving force worldwide.
