Model 597 Floor lamp - Gubi

The Model 597 collection, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1961 and reissued by Gubi, is a series of iconic luminaires that marked Frattini's debut as a lighting designer. Originally produced by Arteluce, this collection embodies a fusion of playful elegance and functionality, inspired by the fashion and fringed curtains of Italian bars in the '50s. Reissued in 2023, it includes a table lamp and a floor lamp, combining modernity with timeless heritage.

Design and features

The Model 597 collection features a cylindrical, diabolo-like structure in polished aluminum, adorned with cream nylon bangs that soften the light and create a captivating play of shadows. The table lamp (Ø 42.5 cm x H 45 cm, 5.5 kg) uses 4 E27 bulbs (4-6W LED, 470 lm), while the floor lamp (Ø 42.5 cm x H 190 cm, 10 kg) uses 7, arranged laterally around a central core, with an additional bulb pointing upwards. A double switch allows separate control of the ambient light (360°) and the upward beam, reinforced by an aluminum reflector.

Available with a 250 cm black textile cable (switch on cable, non-dimmable, IP20), each piece is both sculptural and functional, ideal for a living room, bedroom or office. The bangs, inspired by Italian grocery store entrance curtains and 50s fashion trends, lend a touch of lightness and sophistication, making the Model 597 a centerpiece in any contemporary interior.

Background and heritage

Gianfranco Frattini (1926-2004), a Milanese architect and designer trained at the Politecnico di Milano, left his mark on post-war Italian design with his holistic vision, integrating light and space. The Model 597, created for Arteluce under the direction of Gino Sarfatti, reflects his innovative approach to lighting, which he considered essential to sublimate a project. Its nylon bangs, an idea so innovative that Sarfatti used it again for a ceiling lamp, made this design an immediate success, notably at the St. Andrews restaurant in Milan in 1963.

Collaborating with figures such as Gio Ponti and Cesare Cassina, Frattini left a varied legacy, from furniture for Cassina to the Boalum lamp with Livio Castiglioni. The reissue by Gubi, in collaboration with the Frattini family, is based on the original drawings and a period copy, preserving authenticity while introducing a more compact table version. This collection illustrates Frattini's ability to modulate light to create nuanced atmospheres, a skill hailed by his daughter Emanuela.

Manufactured by Gubi

Gubi, a Danish publisher founded in 1967, reissues the Model 597 with faithful precision, using a polished aluminum base and hand-fixed nylon bangs for optimum light diffusion. Production combines craftsmanship and modern techniques, using sustainable materials such as recyclable aluminum. Each lamp is removable and repairable, in line with Gubi's commitment to eco-responsible manufacturing, certified for its quality and low environmental impact.

The Model 597 collection illustrates Gubi's expertise in re-editing classics, in collaboration with archives such as those of Frattini. Preserving the playful, functional spirit of the original design, it blends into modern interiors, from minimalist living rooms to sophisticated offices, while paying homage to Frattini's visionary heritage.