Discover the secrets of jewelry designs at the Petit Palais
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This is a visit that captivated me. The Jewelry Drawings exhibition at the Petit Palais allows us to rediscover the world of jewelry by focusing on its research works, sketches, and other gouaches. Unveiling a collection of rarely exhibited works, dating from the second half of the 19th to the mid-20th century, the visit highlights the works of both great houses and prodigious artists. Offering a privileged look at the design of a piece of jewelry, this exhibition allows the public to discover the secrets of creating a piece, on paper.
Jewelry Drawings Exhibition: A Return to Origins
What sets the Jewelry Drawings exhibition at the Petit Palais apart is its return to the very origins of jewelry pieces. A rare occurrence.
Indeed, if I compare it with the Cartier exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which I mentioned recently, we mainly discovered finished pieces in the latter, with some technical drawings from time to time, but the focus was on the finished product.
In contrast, for this event at the Petit Palais, the focus is on all the research work carried out prior to the making of a piece of jewelry. From sketches inspired by nature, drawings of animals, copies of historical motifs and ceramics, to sketches with Japanese and Egyptian inspirations… This fascinating perspective allows us to step into the minds of these artists and discover their numerous sources of inspiration.
These numerous studies of drawings emphasize all the reflection behind a piece of jewelry. Both to imagine its appearance and its mechanism. The compilation of works by Eugène Grasset, Pierre-Georges Deraisme, and Charles Jacqueau also highlights the evolution of the research work and the style of a designer.
Understanding an Art of Rigor and Precision
While we are generally used to discovering the jewelry-making skills related to the production of a piece, the Jewelry Drawings exhibition emphasizes how rigor and precision are also essential during the preliminary stages.
The documents preserved by the Petit Palais allow us to observe the evolution of drawing styles, as well as the materials used to create them. From the first sketches to gouaches, we become familiar with various papers and drawing supports, the scale of reproduction, and the effects of colors and lights… We also recommend watching the explanatory video on gouache, which is very interesting to discover.
The Importance of Conservation and Transmission
The Jewelry Drawings exhibition reminds us how important the conservation of these pieces is. Both for the transmission of the history of jewelry and the associated know-how.
Whether through the exhibited drawings, dating back more than two centuries, through the finished jewelry and accessories (including an absolutely sublime art deco section), or through the documents from houses, such as the plans for the first Cartier boutique… This visit is a beautiful testimony and shows how the notion of conservation has evolved over the years, between photography and molds. These pieces also highlight how the teachings inherited from the past continue to be transmitted today to a new generation of artists.
Whether you love jewelry and its skills, drawing, or history in general, the Jewelry Drawings exhibition will be very enjoyable for you. And to continue your cultural outing, we recommend visiting the Worth exhibition also presented at the Petit Palais.
Photos: ©Petit Palais
