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| Louis Zorra (possibly born in Italy and working in Paris, dates unknown), Brooch with an Opal and Pearl, about 1900. Gold, silver, enamel, sapphire, opal, and pearl. Private collection. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston |
Discover the organic beauty of jewelry from the Art Nouveau movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Rather than following prevailing design aesthetics, these designers and jewelers created jewelry that interpreted the natural environment with sensuous forms, dramatic imagery, and poetic symbolism. Selected from the finest American private collection of Art Nouveau jewelry, Imperishable Beauty features over one hundred works by the major designers and jewelers of the era, from France, Germany, Austria, and the United States including René Lalique, Henri Vever, Philippe Wolfers, and Tiffany & Co. Textiles by William Morris, posters by Alphonse Mucha, Tiffany glass, silver, and ceramics from the Art Museum’s permanent collection will accompany the jewelry to provide an in-depth look at works that inspired these artists. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Cincinnati Art Museum will be the only other venue for the exhibition.
This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, BostonImperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry is accompanied by a full-color catalogue produced by MFA Publications. Featuring essays by Yvonne Markowitz and Elyse Zorn Karlin, with contributions by Susan Ward, the catalogue offers an overview of Art Nouveau jewelry and its symbols and motifs. It is available in soft cover for $29.95 and hard cover for $45 at the Museum Shop.
Fine Arts Fund Partners:
Duke Energy
Western & Southern Financial Group
RELATED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
In Depth: Art Nouveau
Saturday, January 9 and 16, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Go in-depth on the innovative Art Nouveau movement during a two-day class series.
Cost for the series: $20 general admission; $10 Art Museum members
Cost per session: $12 general admission; $6 Art Museum members
Reservations required. Call (513) 721-ARTS or visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org to reserve.
Evenings for Educators:
Art Nouveau Jewelry: From Lalique to Tiffany
Wednesday, November 18, 4 – 7 p.m.
Become mesmerized by design, beauty and color in this sparkling exhibition that examines turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau Jewelry. Inspired by flora, fauna and the human form, the works in Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry correspond easily to science, history, and art curriculums.
Cost: $20 general admission, $10 Art Museum members and $5 students. Reservations not required. Call (513) 721-ARTS or visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org to reserve.
Family First Saturday: Artful Adornments
Saturday, January 2, 1 – 4 p.m.
Explore jewelry through storytelling, performances, artist demonstrations, scavenger hunts, and hands-on art making inspired by Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry.
Cost: Free. Reservations not required. Call (513) 721-ARTS or visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org for more information.
Gallery Talk
Saturday, January 16, 1 p.m.
Take a gallery tour of Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry with a local jeweler.
Cost: Free. Reservations requested. Call (513) 721-ARTS or visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org for more information.