Yesterday
Tomorrow

Artemide was born from the vision of a rocket engineer with a strong background in craftsmanship but always looking to the sky. This tension has led to a history that has created icons and, at the same time, shown us the way forward. When we reflect on our past, we can clearly see the path ahead.

Ernesto Gismondi taught us that, despite Artemide’s great history, we must always look ahead because our future lies before us.

more about
Ernesto Gismondi

Born in San Remo in 1931, Ernesto Gismondi combined engineering skills with a visionary entrepreneurial spirit. After graduating in rocket science, he founded Artemide with Sergio Mazza in 1960, establishing the brand as a symbol of design and innovation.

 

His friendships and creative partnerships with designers such as Vico Magistretti, Michele De Lucchi and Richard Sapper resulted in iconic designs that continue to inspire to this day. As vice-president of the Italian Industrial Design Association, Gismondi promoted Italian design culture and encouraged intergenerational exchange.

 

He received numerous awards for his lifetime’s work, including the Compasso d’Oro alla Carriera. Until his death in 2020, he remained curious and open-minded, convinced that light not only illuminates spaces, but also fosters connections.

1960
Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza founded Artemide in Milan. The first luminaire is created: Alfa, designed by Mazza in 1959.
1965
The Polluce luminaire is the result of a collaboration between Enzo Mari and Anna Fasolis.
1967
The Compasso d'Oro goes to the Eclisse luminaire. It was designed by Vico Magistretti.
1969
The collaboration with Gio Ponti resulted in the creation of Fato, a luminaire that has remained iconic to this day.
1970
Selene, the first stackable plastic chair to be manufactured using groundbreaking compression moulding technology, is part of Artemide's research into furniture.
1972
Richard Sapper designs the Tizio table luminaire. One of the first halogen luminaires, it became a symbol of Italian design worldwide.
1972
The first production facility opens in Pregnana Milanese and remains the company's headquarters until today.
1975
Sintesi, the first product designed by Ernesto Gismondi.
1976
Following the success of Polluce, another successful product was designed by Enzo Mari in technical collaboration with Giancarlo Fassina: Aggregato.
1980
Artemide opens its first subsidiary in the United States of America.
1982
The collaboration with Ettore Sottsass initially resulted in Callimaco and, the following year, Pausania.
1985
Aton Barra marks the launch of Artemide’s first lighting system and leads to the establishment of the Litech division, which later became Artemide Architectural.
1987
Created through the collaboration of Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, Tolomeo sets new standards for Italian design. Shortly after its launch, the luminaire became a global symbol of 'Made in Italy' in both homes and workplaces, and it received the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award just two years later.
1991
After acquiring VeArt, a renowned Venetian glassware manufacturer, Artemide launched collections made of hand-blown glass: The first of these was the Milano-Torino collection in 1991, followed by the Milano-Venezia and Venexiana collections in 1993.
1995
Artemide receives the prestigious 'Premio Compasso d'Oro alla Carriera' award.
1995
A patented technological innovation has led to a collection that not only introduces colored light, but also offers a new approach to light control—creating scenarios that respond to our lives and emotions.
1996
Light Fields is a publication that emerged from workshops exploring the perception and culture of light.
1996
The Human Light is Artemide's new vision, summarising its philosophy of light: providing light that serves people and their needs.
1997
The Artemide Architectural division is established.
2000
The Modern Classic collection unites Artemide’s most iconic products in a single line.
2000
Sui and Kaio, the first LED lights designed by Carlotta de Bevilacqua and Ernesto Gismondi, marked the beginning of the “LED revolution”.
2004
Compasso d’Oro award for the Pipe lamp, designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
2004
A collection designed to promote holistic well-being and optimal air quality through Air, Light, Sound, and Other.
2006
With the launch of My White Light, Artemide is exploring new horizons in lighting. Ongoing research has resulted in cutting-edge technologies, including the revolutionary Tunable White.
2012
The IN-El collection is the result of a collaboration with the Japanese designer Issey Miyake. Two years later, it received the most prestigious design award, the Compasso d'Oro.
2014
The Modern Classic collection is being updated to welcome new design icons.
2014
Lighting Fields marks the beginning of a regular publication that explores the culture of light in depth, while highlighting Artemide’s dedication to innovation, research, and collaboration with leading figures in international architecture and design.
2014
The historic brand “Danese Milano” becomes part of the Artemide collection.
2015
The new Innovation Centre is opening, featuring state-of-the-art testing laboratories that are certified in accordance with international regulatory standards.
2016
Artemide is conducting research on Li-Fi: light is used for data transmission. Using the same LEDs that are typically employed in Artemide products, an infrastructure is being created that can also control information.
2016
An IoT dialogue between lighting appliances, sensors, and control systems ensures that natural and environmental phenomena may interact with artificial light according to measured parameters to create advanced and perceptively controlled lightscapes.
2017
The new Artemide app enables intuitive networking and intelligent control of Artemide products.
2018
Ernesto Gismondi is awarded the Compasso d’Oro Career Award – engineer, professor, entrepreneur: a man of remarkable talents.
2018
Compasso d’Oro Award for the Discovery Suspension lamp, designed by Ernesto Gismondi.
2019
Publication of the Artemide Group's first sustainability report.
2019
Artemide signs the United Nations Global Compact, committing to sustainable and socially responsible practices.
2019
Artemide supports projects by young people of Generation Z from around the world who have stood out with innovative ideas aimed at benefiting humanity and securing the future of our planet.
2020
Artemide presents INTEGRALIS®, a patented lighting technology that combines effective disinfection with optimal light output and excellent design.
2021
The new Artemide exhibition center opens at the company headquarters in Pregnana Milanese. Designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, it provides a permanent, ever-evolving space where light can be experienced in all its dimensions.
2022
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Richard Sapper’s Tizio, Artemide is releasing a limited, numbered special edition in red.
2024
Helgoland, created by Artemide President Carlotta de Bevilacqua, embodies both visionary design and advanced technological innovation.
Artemide shapes the history of modern product design with visionary lighting. With lighting solutions that skillfully combine design and architecture, Artemide boldly designs the future – for the well-being of people.