Gino Sarfatti

Gino Sarfatti, born in 1912 in Venice and passing away in 1985 in Gravedona, was an Italian designer and entrepreneur, recognized as one of the greatest innovators in 20th-century lighting design. Founder of Arteluce in 1939, he revolutionized the world of lighting by exploring new forms, materials, and technologies, seamlessly blending functionality and elegance. His work has had a profound impact on modern design and remains a key reference in the field today.

Initially trained in aeronautical engineering at the University of Genoa, Gino Sarfatti was forced to abandon his studies due to the economic crisis and turned to lighting design. As a self-taught designer, he developed a passion for creating lighting fixtures and explored the possibilities offered by new lighting technologies, particularly indirect lighting, fluorescent, and halogen light sources.

In 1939, he founded Arteluce, a company dedicated to research and innovation in lighting design. His scientific and rational approach to design allowed him to introduce minimalist structures, refined geometric shapes, and bold uses of materials, such as aluminum, glass, plexiglass, and stainless steel.

In 1973, after designing more than 700 lighting models, Gino Sarfatti sold Arteluce to Flos, another leading Italian design company. This acquisition helped preserve and reissue his creations, which remain today iconic pieces in lighting design.