As one of the founding fathers of modern Italian design, prolific architect and industrial designer Ludovico Magistretti (known by his nickname Vico) was guided by his philosophy, “There is no excuse for bad design.” His architectural projects are widely revered, and an ingenious meld of form and function can be found in his stylish and deceptively simple table lamps, sofas, armchairs and other mid-century furnishings.
Born in Milan, Magistretti followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both architects) to study architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled to Switzerland, and it was there he met his role model and mentor, renowned humanist architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers. Magistretti was inspired by Rogers’s vision to revive postwar Italy, and they collaborated on several reconstruction projects. Among Magistretti’s first architectural designs is a “poetic” round church, which he created for the QT8, an experimental Milanese neighborhood.
When Magistretti returned to Milan in 1945, he worked at his father’s architectural firm. It wasn’t until the early 1950s that he expanded his talents into design while working with furniture artisans.
In the 1960s, Magistretti began his 30-year working relationship with famed entrepreneur Cesare Cassina of the Cassina furniture manufacturing company. In their design approach, the two men shared a vision of the relationship between modernity and tradition and enjoyed a close bond (Magistretti designed Cassina’s luxurious villa in 1965). However, their friendship was not without contention.
Legend has it that upon seeing the prototype for Magistretti’s Maralunga sofa, Cassina hated it so much that he punched it, breaking the back of the sofa, which crumpled into itself.
“Right, great, it looks perfect to me like that,” an unfazed Magistretti allegedly responded, and the Maralunga’s slumped, adjustable-height backrest was born. Incidentally, the Maralunga sofa won Italy’s Compasso d’Oro award as did his Eclisse lamp for Artemide and his Atollo lamp for Oluce.
Magistretti died in 2006, but his designs live on in galleries, museums and private residences and offices around the world.
Find a range of vintage Vico Magistretti furniture and lighting on 1stDibs.
Oluce Atollo 238 Oro Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Satin gold - 220–240V
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 238 Oro table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic expressions of Italian design, defined by its pure geometric language and timeless sc...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Atollo Table Lamp in White Lacquered Metal by Oluce 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Atollo table lamp in white lacquered metal, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 and produced by Oluce. Source bulb: 2 x max 100 W E27 - universal dimmer Atollo has emerged as the...
Metal
Eclisse by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s.
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Genève, GE
"Eclisse" Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy, 1970s - Orange The iconic "Eclisse" table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Italy, was originally conceiv...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Nemea Table Lamp, Metal, Mid-Century Modern, 1975
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in bari, IT
Nemea table lamp designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide production 1970s. It is known for its elegant and functional style, typical of Magistretti’s creations. The lamp has a simp...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Medium and Small Bronze Table Lamp Designed by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -medium and small- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Glass Table Lamp Designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -medium and small- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has...
Opaline Glass
Set of 'Atollo' Large and Small Gold Table Lamp Designed by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -large and small- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo ...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Large, Medium and Small Black Table Lamp Designed by Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of three table lamps -large, medium and small model- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over th...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Medium and Small Black Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -medium and small- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo ...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Large and Small Black Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp large and small "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has be...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Large and Small Glass Table Lamp Designed by Vico Magistretti
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -large and small- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has...
Opaline Glass
Set of 'Atollo' Large, Medium and Small Glass Table Lamp Designed by Magistretti
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of three table lamps large, medium and small model- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the...
Opaline Glass
Set of 'Atollo' Medium and Small Gold Table Lamp Designed by Vico Magistretti
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -medium and small- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo ...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Large Medium and Small Bronze Table Lamp Designed by Magistretti
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of three table lamps -large, medium and small model- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over th...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Large and Small Gold Table Lamp Designed by Vico Magistretti
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -large and small- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has ...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Large and Medium Gold Table Lamp Designed by Vico Magistretti
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two table lamp -large and medium- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977 Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over the years, Atollo has...
Metal
Set of 'Atollo' Large, Medium and Small Gold Table Lamp Designed by Magistretti
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of three table lamps -large, medium and small model- "Atollo" designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977. Manufactured by Oluce, Italy. Designed in 1977 by Vico Magistretti, over th...
Metal
Mezza Chimera Table Lamps by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s, Set of 2
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Renens, CH
Designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, the Mezza Chimera is the table version of the larger Chimera floor lamp and was produced in Italy during the 1970s. Each lamp features a ...
Metal
Erse by Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Milano, IT
Erse, table Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide Rare Gilt Brass Version, Italy, circa 1964 Designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Artemide in Italy around 1964, the Erse tab...
Brass
Glass Table Lamp Atollo 235 by Vico Magistretti for Oluce (Old Version)
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Argelato, BO
The Atollo table lamp (1977) is distinguished by its minimal geometric construction. The worldwide imitated and yet inimitable lamp won numerous awards, and it can also be found as a...
Metal
"Slalom" Metal Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti, Italy, 1980s
By O-Luce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Milan, IT
Slalom table lamp by Vico Magistretti for O-Luce. No-stop drawing for this pure shaped lamp with adjustable shade and structure.
Metal
Nemo Kuta Table Lamp in Chrome/White-Black by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp with an aluminum circular reflector which shields the lighting distribution, giving the effect of a solar eclipse. The circular screen is painted in white and black, the s...
Aluminum
Vintage Telegono Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti Design for Artemide Italy 1969
By Vico Magistretti
Located in Biella, IT
Telegono table lamp by Vico Magistretti design for Artemide Italy year ’69 all is in original condition and working, the pl...
Plastic
$846 / item
Nemo Kuta Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti
By Vico Magistretti
Located in New York, NY
KUTA table Table lamp with an aluminum circular reflector which shields the lighting distribution, giving the effect of a solar eclipse. The circular screen is painted in white and black, the stem and the metal small parts and hemispherical support are chromed. Table version with base in white marble. E26 A60 indirect 100W 120V switch on cable IP 20...
Marble, Aluminum, Steel
Italian mid-century modern table lamp Erse Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern table lamp Erse Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s Table lamp mod. Erse with a round base. The structure is composed of the base and a central stem, whic...
Metal
Oluce Lyndon 283 Outdoor Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Black - 220–240V
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Varedo, MB
The Lyndon 283 outdoor table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is a contemporary outdoor reinterpretation of the iconic Lyndon collection originally conceived in 1977. M...
Metal
Oluce Lyndon 283 Outdoor Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Ivory - 220–240V
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varedo, MB
The Lyndon 283 outdoor table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is a contemporary outdoor reinterpretation of the iconic Lyndon collection originally conceived in 1977. M...
Metal
Oluce Atollo 239 Black Nickel Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - 220–240V
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 239 Black Nickel table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic expressions of Italian design, defined by its pure...
Metal
Oluce Atollo 233 Oro Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Satin gold - 220–240V
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 233 Oro table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic expressions of Italian design, defined by its pure geometric language and sculptural ...
Metal
Oluce Atollo 239 Oro Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Satin gold - 220–240V
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 239 Oro table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic expressions of Italian design, defined by its pure geometri...
Metal
Oluce Atollo 235 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Opaline Murano glass 220–240V
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 235 table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic lighting designs in contemporary design history. Originally conceived in 1977, Atollo re...
Glass, Murano Glass
Oluce Atollo 236 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Opaline Murano glass 220–240V
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 236 table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic lighting designs in contemporary design history. Originally conceived in 1977, Atollo re...
Glass, Murano Glass
Oluce Atollo 237 Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti - Opaline Murano glass 220–240V
By Vico Magistretti, Oluce
Located in Varedo, MB
The Atollo 237 table lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce, is one of the most iconic lighting designs in contemporary design history. Originally conceived in 1977, Atollo re...
Glass, Murano Glass
Table Lamp Nemea Model by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Asti, Piemonte
"Simplicity is the most complicated thing in the world." Vico Magistretti Nemea is an "inverted lamp" that, as Magistretti said in an interview released to Modo in 1979, is perhaps ...
Metal