Elio Martinelli (1921-2004) was born in Lucca, Tuscany. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence and worked in the lighting business of his father Plinio. After few years, he started his own studio in the old town center in Lucca. In 1966, his company took part in the Eurodomus fair by invitation of Gio Ponti. Elio Martinelli was inspired by simplicity, geometry and the natural world. His work is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museès des Art Decoratifs in Montreal and the Museum of Art in Philadelphia.