2022 marks the centenary of the birth of Elio Martinelli, set designer, artist and designer who in the early 1950s founded Martinelli Luce, a lighting company that has become one of the leading brands in the Italian design landscape. Between the 1960s and 1970s, Elio Martinelli established himself as one of the most influential designers on the Italian scene and from the beginning succeeded in transmitting his strong passion and creativity for light to his daughter Emiliana.

“It was my mother’s birthday when my father Elio arrived home driving a yellow Beetle. It was his present for Anna, who loved this colour. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, I wanted to remember him with a special edition of one of the lamps he designed, the “Cobra” – probably the most significant because it encloses his entire design philosophy: purity of shape, geometry, innovation, experimentation with materials and construction technologies”.

This is how Emiliana Martinelli, architect, designer and today president of the company, wanted to pay homage to her father: by presenting the limited-edition Cobra in yellow, featuring just 100 numbered pieces, bearing Elio Martinelli’s signature on the base. 100 years symbolize an important anniversary, highlighting the well-founded values behind the product. A milestone that Martinelli Luce will further celebrate with different initiatives, dedicated to its visionary founder.