Musée d'Orsay and Martinelli Luce have launched a special-edition version of the iconic Pipistrello lamp to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Paris museum's opening.
Originally designed in 1965 by Gae Aulenti, the Pipistrello remains one of the most recognisable pieces of post-war Italian lighting design. The new release reconnects two major parts of Aulenti's legacy: the lamp itself and her celebrated interior redesign of the former Gare d'Orsay into the Musée d'Orsay during the 1980s.
© Francis Amiand
A design icon linked to architectural history
The Musée d'Orsay is widely regarded as one of the twentieth century's most important examples of adaptive reuse. Once a railway station, the building was transformed into a museum dedicated to nineteenth-century art, with Aulenti responsible for shaping the visitor journey and interior spaces.
By pairing the museum with the Pipistrello, the collaboration highlights how Aulenti moved seamlessly between monumental architecture and domestic design objects.
New finish inspired by the museum
The commemorative edition features a colour finish inspired by an architectural detail from the museum's interiors. Organisers say the choice reinterprets the atmosphere of the building in a contemporary way, turning the lamp into both a collectible object and tribute to Aulenti's broader vision.
To mark the collaboration, the logos of both Musée d'Orsay and Martinelli Luce are engraved on the lampshade.
Available in three sizes
The anniversary Pipistrello will be produced in three sizes, continuing the brand's strategy of adapting classic design icons to contemporary interiors while preserving recognisable proportions and technical character.
Why it matters
Luxury consumers and collectors continue to show strong demand for heritage design pieces with institutional provenance. Limited or commemorative editions tied to museums and cultural anniversaries can strengthen brand value while introducing younger audiences to historic products.
For the European lighting sector, the project also reflects the commercial power of storytelling, archival design and collaborations rooted in authenticity rather than novelty alone.
More information:
Musée d'Orsay
www.musee-orsay.fr
Martinelli Luce
[email protected]
www.martinelliluce.it
