A history of design icons

Founded in 1932 in Milan, FontanaArte is preparing to celebrate almost a century of history. A milestone that the company wants to share with the city of Milan and with the guests of the Design Week that will take place in the Milan from 6th to 12th June.


A journey between past and present through the historical archive that will be presented, together with other initiatives that we are going to unveil, during the time of greatest attention and participation of the design world.


The history of FontanaArte and its natural relationship with glass and light coincides with the birth and growth of Italian design, pioneered by Gio Ponti and his instinctive promotion of a new cultural unity in the industrial age.


Still today, in the 21st century, the “Arte” that Ponti added to the company name is the key to an identity that exists beyond any single serial product. The timeless spirit, balance between art and industry, is the same that inspires FontanaArte's contemporary production, an equilibrium of clarity and durability.


The history of FontanaArte intersects with that of immense personalities in their genius and creativity such as Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand and Gae Aulenti who, in their role as artistic directors, guided the company and contributed to the birth of iconic projects recognised throughout the world.


“FontanaArte lamps and furnishings have contributed to the creation of extraordinary domestic settings. By bringing art into the home and giving glass the capacity to personify light, transparency and reflection, our lamps influence everything around them. In researching the identity of FontanaArte we realised that the iconic products and creative designers are only part of the story. Mentioning the name FontanaArte in the world has elicited a host of impressions, memories and sentiments from a vast array of preople. Alongside the products and their creators, they are the ones to complete the portrait fo FontanaArte: the people who have loved and welcomed FontanaArte objects into their lives.” Francesco Librizzi, Direttore Artistico FontanaArte


“I am happy to live this celebrative year for FontanaArte, a brand that has made the history of Italian design and that today is considered a reference for high-end lighting. Celebrating 90 years means retracing the past to reaffirm those values that project us into the future. This is why we have committed ourselves to a process of recovery and study of the FontanaArte archives: a heritage of enormous value capable of recounting once again and with unprecedented detail, the strength of the combination of art and industry, which has become an essential element in all our collection.” Marco Pozzo, Amministratore Delegato FontanaArte.


To affirm and underline this important anniversary, FontanaArte wanted to create a dedicated logo that will be present throughout this year on printed and digital communication materials in all its forms and formats.