Discover the Secrets of Jewelry Designs at the Petit Palais
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This is a visit that enchanted me. The exhibit Jewelry Drawings 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 XIX to the mid XX century, the visit highlights the work of both major 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, in paper form.
Jewelry Drawings Exhibit: A Return to Origins
Where the Jewelry Drawings exhibition at the Petit Palais stands out is in its return to the very origins of jewelry pieces. This is something that is quite rare.
Indeed, if I compare it to the exhibit Cartier at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which I mentioned recently, we primarily discovered finished pieces in the latter, with some technical drawings here and there, but the emphasis was on the finished product.
In contrast, for this event at the Petit Palais, the focus is on all the research work done 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 exhibition angle, fascinating in every way, allows us to slip into the minds of these artists and discover their numerous sources of inspiration.
These numerous drawing studies emphasize all the thought that goes into a piece of jewelry. Both to imagine its appearance and its mechanism. The assembly of works by Eugène Grasset, Pierre-Georges Deraisme, or Charles Jacqueau also highlights the evolution of the research and style of a designer.
Understanding an Art of Rigor and Precision
While we are generally accustomed to discovering the jewelry-making skills related to the creation 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 familiarize ourselves with various papers and drawing supports, the scale of reproduction, as well as the effects of colors and lights… We also recommend watching the explanatory video on gouache, which is very interesting to discover.
The Importance of Preservation and Transmission
The Jewelry Drawings exhibition reminds us of the importance of preserving these pieces. Both for passing on the history of jewelry and the associated craftsmanship.
Whether it’s through the displayed drawings, dating back more than two centuries, the finished jewelry and accessories (including an absolutely sublime art deco piece), or even the documents from houses, like the plans for the first Cartier boutique… This visit is a beautiful testimony and shows how the notion of preservation has evolved over the years, between photography and molds. These pieces also highlight how these teachings inherited from the past continue to be passed on today, to a new generation of artists.
Whether you love jewelry and its craftsmanship, 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
