Gaetano Sciolari : architecte lumineux

He was not predestined to become a renowned designer. Gaetano Sciolari (1927-1994) entered the profession by obligation, when his father, who ran the family lighting company Sciolari Lighting - founded in 1892 - died accidentally in 1949. In 3 decades, Sciolari became a prestigious name in the Italian design world and even shone across the Atlantic, where his creations were highly appreciated. This post looks back at the exceptional career of a lighting goldsmith.

Born in Rome in 1927, Gaetano Sciolari grew up in a family that had a long tradition in the production of furniture, especially lighting. He studied architecture at the University of Rome, then turned to studies in film direction. When his father died in 1949, he took over the family business.

Gaetano Sciolari came to prominence in the 1950s as a designer for the "stamp" he put on the designs of the fledgling Italian manufacturer Stilnovo, founded in Milan by Bruno Gatta. During the 1950s and 1960s, Sciolari designed a series of innovative lighting fixtures that made history in lighting design. His designs were characterized by simple geometric shapes, clean lines, and a judicious use of materials such as brass, chrome and glass. He also experimented with different light sources, including halogen bulbs, to create singular lighting effects.

How can Sciolari's design be described? His design philosophy focused on elegance, simplicity and functionality. He was known for using high-quality materials. At the same time, he integrated architectural elements into his designs. He believed that light should be used to create a mood in a space, rather than simply being a light source.

This is why Sciolari expresses a taste for minimalism, to which is added the expression of a geometry with deliciously sculpted forms: a minimal and sophisticated style. About it, some experts evoke at once cubism, brutalism, Art Deco, but also Space Age for ceiling lights with a futuristic look.

His taste for architecture can be seen in the sculptural forms and striking geometric details of his vintage floor lamps, chandeliers and other lighting fixtures, which then fit perfectly into mid-century modern interiors and the Hollywood Regency style. The American firm Lightolier in New York began to import the lights stamped "Sciolari Lighting". This is how the modest family business gradually becomes the 1st Italian seller of lighting fixtures in the United States!

We can speak of "luminous sculptures" to evoke the work of Gaetano Sciolari. In his pieces, we like the confrontation between different finishes, when a polished aspect meets a satin finish. His use of glass and crystals brings a sparkling note and contrasts with the "raw" aspect of some pieces. In his creations, the designer skillfully mixes genres, between minimalism, futurism and glamour.

Among Sciolari's important creations is the Cubic series. It consisted of suspensions and wall lamps in chromed steel and glass, with simple geometric shapes that created a soft and diffuse light. Launched in the 1970s, it quickly became a modern design classic.

Acknowledged and respected designer, Gaetano Sciolari was the founder and first president of the Italian Lighting Manufacturers Association. In addition to Stilnono, Gaetano Sciolari collaborated with the publishers S.A. Boulanger in Belgium and Stilkronen in Germany. He was also known for his ability to work with clients to create custom fixtures that met their specific needs. In addition to being a creative and inventive designer, his contemporaries recognize his undeniable talent for business. An entrepreneur, he greatly expanded the family business, to the point of making it the first Italian lighting manufacturer to sell to the United States through the historic American company Lightolier - founded in 1904 - and with what success!

Despite Gaetano Sciolari's death in 1994, his legacy still lives on in the world of lighting. The Sciolari company still exists, although it no longer has the same aura. Sciolari's creations are still highly prized by collectors and design enthusiasts, especially the Habitat, Cultura and Futura series. Vintage pieces are highly sought after and often sell for high prices at auction.

François BOUTARD