Martinelli

The designer's creations, such as the Serpente (1965), 2764 (1965), 660 (1972), Panthos (1983) and Penombra (1987) lamps, are iconic pieces of 20th-century design. Throughout his career, he has sought out new technologies and drawn inspiration from simple, geometric shapes. Elio Martinelli was born in Italy in 1921. He graduated from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts. He began his design career in his father's lamp-making business. He later opened his own studio in downtown Lucca. He designed interiors for stores, restaurants, hotels and bars. In the '50s, he expanded his lamp production and quickly became a household name in Italy, winning various prizes and awards. In 1966, invited by architect Gio Ponti, he took part in the first edition of Eurodomus. He also took part in the 14th and 15th Triennales in Milan in the early 1970s, and later in the Salon de Milan, Intel and Euroluce. His creations can be found in major museums around the world.Read More