An electroluminescent device comprises a structure comprising a set of nanowires on the surface of a substrate, comprising: a first series of primary so-called emission nanowires (NTie) comprising nanowires connected to first electrical contacts and capable of emitting light under the action of a forward first voltage from a forward voltage or current source; a second series of secondary detection nanowires (NTid) adjacent to the primary nanowires, connected to second electrical contacts and capable of generating a photocurrent under the action of an ambient light and/or of a portion of the light emitted by some of the primary nanowires, under the control of a second reverse voltage, from a voltage or current source; means for controlling the forward voltage as a function of the photocurrent. A method for controlling the luminance of an electroluminescent device is provided.