Artemide

Few names in contemporary lighting command quite the same respect as Artemide. Founded in Milan in 1960 by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza, Artemide has spent more than six decades exploring the relationship between light, architecture and the people who inhabit our spaces.

What distinguishes Artemide is its remarkable ability to combine technical intelligence with exceptional design. Its philosophy, The Human Light, places human experience at the centre of illumination, recognising that good lighting should do considerably more than simply provide visibility. It should influence atmosphere, enhance architecture and quietly improve the way we live.

The company’s design heritage is extraordinary. From Vico Magistretti’s playful Eclisse and Richard Sapper’s engineering masterpiece, Tizio, to the beautifully resolved Tolomeo by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, Artemide has produced some of the most recognisable and enduring pieces in lighting history.

Yet Artemide has never been content to rely upon its past. Research, optical innovation, material development and collaborations with leading international architects continue to shape a collection that feels both technically accomplished and aesthetically relevant.

There is a particular confidence in Artemide’s approach. Its finest designs rarely demand attention unnecessarily. Instead, they demonstrate an understanding of proportion, functionality and the subtle qualities of light itself.

At 186 Light, we have long admired this balance between engineering and artistry. Artemide represents precisely the qualities we believe exceptional lighting should possess: intellectual rigour, thoughtful design and genuine longevity.

These are not simply decorative objects, but carefully considered pieces that become part of the architecture and character of a space.

Artemide reminds us that truly exceptional lighting is not simply about what we see, but how we experience everything around us.