For more than 60 years, Artemide has held a unique place in the world of designer lighting. Founded in 1960 in Italy by Ernesto Gismondi, the brand is today a global benchmark, a symbol of elegance and technological innovation. Behind this success are visionary creators who have shaped iconic lamps such as the Tolomeo, the Tizio, and the Eclisse. Let’s take a closer look at the great designers who marked Artemide’s history and transformed our relationship with light.
Architect and aerospace engineer Ernesto Gismondi founded Artemide with one clear idea: to put light at the service of people. Through his concept of “The Human Light”, he gave the brand a unique philosophy, combining science, design, and human well-being.
Under his leadership, Artemide collaborated with leading designers and won prestigious awards, including several Compasso d’Oro prizes. His vision propelled Artemide to global recognition, with lamps displayed in museums, private homes, and public spaces around the world.
In 1972, Richard Sapper created one of the world’s most famous lamps for Artemide: the Tizio.
With its balanced arm system using counterweights and its innovative power supply without visible cables, it embodies the perfect union of technology and minimalism.
An icon of Italian industrial design, the Tizio is now part of major collections, including the MoMA in New York, and remains a timeless symbol of the modern workspace.
In 1986, Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina designed the Tolomeo, a desk lamp that quickly became a legend.
Awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1989, the Tolomeo has since been adapted into countless versions: table lamp, wall light, floor lamp, and pendant.
Its ingenious articulated arm system and elegant silhouette explain its success, making it suitable for offices and contemporary interiors alike. Today, the Tolomeo is one of Artemide’s best-selling lamps and a cornerstone of its identity.
Designed in 1967, Vico Magistretti’s Eclisse remains an icon of Italian design.
This small, futuristic table lamp allows the user to modulate the light thanks to a rotating inner sphere, evoking a solar eclipse.
Winner of the Compasso d’Oro the same year, the Eclisse has become a timeless classic and collector’s item. Its simple yet ingenious design perfectly reflects Artemide’s spirit: turning light into an experience.
As President and CEO of Artemide, Carlotta de Bevilacqua is also a distinguished designer.
A pioneer in LED technology and sustainability, she has designed many innovative luminaires that represent Artemide’s ecological transition.
Under her leadership, Artemide continues to collaborate with architects, engineers, and artists while staying true to its mission: to illuminate human life with intelligence and beauty.
Scottish designer Neil Poulton, based in France, has contributed to Artemide’s story with minimalist and poetic creations such as the Talo.
The brand has also partnered with internationally renowned names including Herzog & de Meuron, Ross Lovegrove, Issey Miyake, and Philippe Rahm, broadening Artemide’s aesthetic universe and global influence.
Artemide lamps are far more than functional objects — they are part of design heritage.
Exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the MoMA in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, they embody Italian excellence and continue to inspire new generations of creators.
By combining craft tradition with technological innovation, Artemide remains an essential reference in high-end designer lighting.
From Gismondi to De Lucchi, from Sapper to Magistretti, Artemide designers have created timeless works that transcend trends. Every lamp tells a story, every design expresses a unique vision of light.
Choosing an Artemide luminaire means bringing an iconic design object into your home — and integrating a piece of Italian design history into everyday life.
