Italian Modern Foglia Shell Lamp in White Plastic by Elio Martinelli, 1970s

Italian lighting designer Elio Martinelli was born in 1921 in Lucca in Tuscany. He attended a vocational school before going on to study set design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, where he ultimately earned a diploma. After school, he began working in his father’s lighting business, while also taking on his own interior design projects for restaurants, hotels, and shops, with an aesthetic inspired by his set design background. During this period, initially out of necessity, he also began designing and producing his own lighting. In 1950, Martinelli formally established his own lighting company, Martinelli Luce, in Lucca; the company has since gone on to produce numerous lighting designs for domestic and commercial use.

Throughout his career, Martinelli embraced new materials (such as methacrylate), and his work was representative of the midcentury modernist Italian aesthetic, characterized by an organic geometry both rationalistic and expressive. Standout pieces include, among others, the space-age table lamps Serpente (1965), Cobra (1968), and Foglia (1969). Following an invitation from designer Gio Ponti, Martinelli’s company participated in the first edition of the international design exhibition, Eurodomus, held in Turin in 1966. It went on to attend the 1968, 1970, and 1972 editions as well.

Martinelli continued to work until his passing in 2004. The company continues to operate today with Martinelli’s family at the helm. The Montreal Decorative Arts Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Art in Philadelphia each hold multiple Martinelli Luce models in their permanent collections.

Martinelli Luce has contributed significantly to Italian design, and was a hugely prominent lighting producer in the second half of the 20th century; creating innovative and award-winning lighting throughout its colorful history, collaborating with some of the biggest names in Italian design. Founded in 1950 by designer Elio Martinelli (1921-2004) in Lucca, the company has since gone on to produce numerous lighting designs for domestic and commercial use.

Exposed to the lighting industry from an early age, Martinelli joined his family's business which was originally established sometime in the 1930s. In 1950, wishing to develop and produce his own lighting fixtures, Martinelli established Martinelli Luce and focused on interior design and lights for shops, restaurants, hotels, and the like. His business grew quickly, eventually becoming a household name and reference point Italian lighting design. In 1966, Martinelli Luce was invited by designer Gio Ponti to participate in the first edition of the international design exhibition, Eurodomus, held in Turin. Martinelli Luce exhibited again in 1968, 1970, and 1972; as well as at the 14th and 15th Milan Triennial in 1968 and 1973. 

Throughout his career, Martinelli embraced new materials (such as methacrylate plastic), which he used to create functional, yet highly innovative lighting fixtures. Martinelli’s work was representative of the midcentury modernist Italian aesthetic, characterized by an organic geometry that was both rationalist and expressive. Standout pieces include, among others, the space-age table lamps Bolla (1960), Globo (1962), Serpente (1965), Stivale (1967), Cobra (1968), and Foglia (1969), Millepiedi (1972), Elmetto (1976), Dobermann (1980), and the Nuvole Vagabonde (1992-9).

Since its inception, Martinelli Luce has collaborated with many talented and renowned designers including Gae Aulenti, , Michel Bouquillon, Marco De Santi – Studio Natural, Angelo Micheli, Luc Ramael,  Karim Rashid, Marc Sadler, Brian Sironi, Studio 4P1B, Studio Lucchi & Biserni, Studio Orlandini, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, and many others. Notable designs include Aulenti ‘s Pipistrello (1965), Ruspa (1968) table lamps; and Sergio Asti’s Profiterolle (1968) and Scafandro (1972) table lamps.

Over the years Martinelli Luce has received several awards, including multiple iF Product Design awards, Compasso D’oro in 2011, and the ADI Design Index Award in 2011 and 2015. Exemplary designs from Martinelli Luce can be found in permanent collections of major museums include the Montreal Decorative Arts Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Art in Philadelphia.

Martinelli passed away in 2004, but the company continues to operate today under the guidance of Martinelli’s daughter, art director and designer Emiliana. The company offers a wide range of energy efficient lighting systems designed for offices, shops, cinemas, hotels, museums, and commercial, and outdoor areas.