Elio Martinelli

Elio Martinelli (1922 - 2004) was an Italian lighting designer and founder of Martinelli Luce. After studying stage design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Martinelli returned to his hometown of Lucca, Italy to work for his father's lighting company. Several years later, Martinelli founded his own studio, where he primarily worked as an interior designer of restaurants and hotels. When designing these spaces, Martinelli would often create bespoke lighting fixtures specifically for each project.

By the 1950s, Martinelli had transitioned fully to lighting design and released his first catalogue of light fixtures. Martinelli's designs were inspired by simplicity, geometry, and natural forms, as well as the innovative use of new materials such as methacrylate.