Museums in France are finally reopening, complete with a raft of new exhibitions or extensions, whether dedicated to jewelry or not: here’s a quick round-up of those I’ll be going (back) to see.

Par Sandrine Merle.

 

 

 “The Return of Renaissance Portraits”

This new exhibition at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau presents 36 newly restored Renaissance portraits. The show reveals the magnificence of the jewels and especially the abundance of pearls used in necklaces and earrings and also embroidered on clothes.

Related article: The Jewels of the Renaissance

 

“Divas from Oum Kalthoum to Dalida”

In this new exhibition on the divas of the Arab world, we discover jewels through a range of portraits, photos and posters. While perusing the showcases, don’t miss the three pieces made for Oum Khaltoum.

 

“Dali, the endless enigma”

For a few minutes, watch the Catalan artist’s “The Eye of Time”, “The Royal Heart”, “Ruby Lips” or his “Soft Watches” unfurl across vertiginous walls of this old foundry, to the sound of music… A surrealist “jewel experience” – all too brief but absolutely magical.

 

“Gems“

What a relief! The exhibition of Van Cleef & Arpels at the National Museum of Natural History has been extended. It’s another chance to enjoy exactly the same rich variety of pieces including the 500 gems and minerals, the 200 Van Cleef & Arpels pieces. You can also admire the incredible diamond necklace of the Nazli queen of Egypt, the reconstitution of the Golden Fleece, the Roger Caillois’s collection of dream stones or the 23 Melo pearls of Vietnamese emperor Bao Dai.

Related article: Roger Caillois’ dream stones in “Gems exhibition

Until 22 August 2021

 

“Luxuries”

This extension enables a dialogue between the sublime camellia by JAR and the “Noisettes” necklace by Rene Lalique, the dress by Guo Pei entirely embroidered with gold, the bracelet decorated with cabochons discovered in the third century in Syria, or the Chinese headdress in kingfisher feathers. Discover the flag-bearers of contemporary creativity, including others Elie Top and Cindy Chao.

Related article: René Lalique in the “Medusa” exhibition

Until 18 July 2021

 

“Jean Vendôme “Artist Jeweler”

The private lenders of this exhibition have kindly given up their jewels for a while, giving us another chance to enjoy Jean Vendôme’s atypical jewels, like the incredible necklace made from crab claws.

Related article: Behind the scene at the Jean Vendome exhibition

Until 08 August 2021

 

“Gabrielle Chanel – Fashion Manifesto”

The extension of this exhibition is good news because it presents dozens upon dozens of “fake jewels” (that is to say, couture jewels that were very important to Gabrielle Chanel) grouped together in a huge room. Take for example those made with Goossens or Gripoix, which testify to the influences of the Chanel style. Not to be missed, the lamé and pearled clothes embroidered with gold threads, displayed around the edges of the room. Simply magnificent.

Until 18 July 2021

 

Banner image: Guo Pei dress in “Luxuries” at the MAD, Paris