Antonio Massarutto is a sculptor and designer based in Cortona, Tuscany. Graduate of the Art Institute at Cordenons and the Academy of Applied Arts in Milan, Massarutto’s creative endeavours comprise two parallel activities sculpture and design. Among his design clients are BMW, Electrolux, Rosso Design and Rosso Academy, Kong’s KTL Jewellery Manufacturer Ltd., and his commissions include interior design, fashion & accessories, jewellery. Antonio Massarutto pursues his fine arts interests as sculptor an sculpture teacher.He established his studio in Cortona inspired by the city’s rich cultural heritage. One of the twelve Etruscan federated states, Cortona’s importance is impressively visible not only in its ancient walls and tombs, but also in the finely crafted objects in bronze and terracotta on display today at the city’s Etruscan Academy MAEC. Sculpture is the art of shaping. Design is the art of reproducing ideas. Together, form and idea find their perfect fit in contemporary jewellery. For a while now, Massarutto has been working with materials such as bronze, stone and synthetic fibres, more often associated with sculpture than with  jewellery. What matters to him most is the passion to pursue original ideas, creating new aesthetic forms, communicating through contemporary design. A departure from traditional materials such as precious metals and stones was intentional – he wanted to create a new visual vocabulary and a contemporary language that better expressed his generation’s aesthetic needs  and aspirations – simplicity, boldness, unusual associations combined with respect and admiration for the past of the Italian visual and intellectual heritage.  He benefits from the rich experience of the nearby Arezzo’s goldsmith’s techniques, and draws his inspiration from the ancient Etruscan craftsmanship.His Etruscan inspired line of jewellery, like their Etruscan predecessors are closer to the works of art than to decorative artifacts.