ELIO MARTINELLI

Elio Martinelli (1921-2004)

 

Born in Lucca, Tuscany, Elio Martinelli studied at the Institute of Fine Arts in Florence. After graduating, he joined his father’s lighting business. With success and high demand, he soon established his own company, Martinelli Luce, for which he created innovative designs.

By his own creations, the use of methacrylate and streamlined simple forms, Martinelli contributed to the « Space Age » style. The Serpente (1965) and Cobra (1968), two very successful lamps, are very emblematic of this tendency.

But Martinelli Luce also collaborated with great designers such as Gae Aulenti.

Their collaboration gave birth to the Pipistrello lamp (1966), one of the greatest successes for a 20th Century design work. One of these lamps belongs now to the collections of the Triennale di Milano.

The company received the most prestigious design award, the Compasso d’Oro, in 2011.