Google Doodle pays stylish tribute to Altina Schinasi, designer of iconic cat-eye glasses

Today’s Google Doodle is dedicated to Altina Schinasi, an influential American artist and designer. She was renowned for her impressive work in textiles, ceramics, and jewelry. Notably, Schinasi is credited with designing the iconic Harlequin cat-eye glasses in the 1940s. Inspired by Venetian masquerade masks, these glasses feature large, almond-shaped frames with upturned tips, and have become symbols of glamour and sophistication.

The special doodle has been done to celebrate Schinasi’s 116th birth anniversary.

Schinasi's artwork was characterized by bold colors, geometric patterns, and abstract forms. She had a remarkable ability to use color and texture to create visually striking and dynamic designs. Her work drew inspiration from various sources, including Native American art, African art, and Modernist art. As a result, she is considered one of the most important textile designers of the 20th century, with her pieces continuing to be admired and collected by museums and private collectors worldwide.

Born in New York City on January 18, 1922, Schinasi came from a family of artists. She studied at the Art Students League of New York under the guidance of renowned artists Hans Hofmann and Morris Kantor. A recipient of the American Crafts Council's Gold Medal, she served as a professor of ceramics at the University of California, Berkeley. Her work is still on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

In addition to her broader body of work, Altina Schinasi has produced several notable pieces, including the "Altina Schinasi" rug, designed for the Knoll Textile Company in 1955, the "Aphrodite" ceramic vase, created for the Steuben Glass Company in 1960, and the "Opus II" necklace, designed in 1965. These pieces further exemplify her artistic talent and innovative approach to design.