Cover photo: Atollo by Oluce
Ludovico—known as Vico Magistretti—is one of the most important figures in postwar Italian design and architecture. With his rigorous, geometric style, he defined the concept of “simple elegance,” creating iconic buildings and, above all, pieces of furniture that remain as relevant as ever. Following in his family’s footsteps (his father and grandfather were also architects), he was among the founders of the ADI—the Association for Industrial Design—in 1956. He remained active until his death in 2006, and his former Milan offices on Via Conservatorio now house a foundation dedicated to his work and research.
Vico Magistretti was a prolific designer, including in the field of lighting. Dozens of his lamps are still produced and sold with great success by leading Italian brands. Artemide’s “Eclisse,” born from a sketch on a subway ticket as a solution to mechanically control the light intensity of the source, is probably his best-known and most appreciated lamp, but it is not the only one to have stood the test of time for over half a century. Alongside this small stroke of genius, we’ve picked three more Magistretti lamps that, in our view, show the same flash of brilliance.
Dalù by Artemide, two hemispheres in molded technopolymer
Its unmistakable silhouette—a perfectly balanced form created by the union of two hemispheres—has made Dalù a timeless piece. Designed in the 1960s for Artemide, it is made of molded technopolymer, a major technical innovation for its time. Initially available in white or black, it was reissued starting in 2005 in brighter, more contemporary colors. Fun fact: its name is said to be that of Vico Magistretti’s dachshund.
Atollo by Oluce, where cylinder, cone, and hemisphere reinterpret the table lamp
Atollo is a table lamp of undeniable elegance. Designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977, when he was artistic director at Oluce, it was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1979. Its clean lines, which reinterpret the classic shaded table lamp, result from the combination of two parts: a solid-looking column, consisting of a cylinder joined to a cone, and a hemispherical shade. The lamp is available in three sizes and various material combinations: with a metal base and an opal glass shade, made entirely of glass, or made entirely of aluminum with a gold or black finish.
Teti by Artemide, the thermoplastic wall sconce introduced in 1970
A small wall sconce or micro ceiling light, a democratic design piece (in price, too), Artemide’s Teti has been a long-standing bestseller for the Pregnana Milanese-based brand since 1970. Made of thermoplastic, Teti has a teardrop shape that echoes the light source—an E27 bulb, today a retrofit model. Hyper-minimalist and highly functional, perfect when installed alone but also delightful in groups, Teti is available in 11 different colors—including fluorescent and transparent shades—with clearly visible cables.
