An unmissable exhibition comes from the hand of the prestigious jewelry firm Cartier. From October 24 to February 17, 2013 Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum presents The Art of Cartier. This show reveals more than 420 pieces from the collection of the maison, from its origins to the present.
This exhibition, one of the largest held to date by the number of pieces never before exhibited, reflects the spirit of the artistic evolution of the firm since its inception in 1847. The dynamism of the brothers Cartier, his interest in the art of ancient or distant cultures created the basic elements of the artistic identity of the jewelry house.
Jewelry, watches, precious accessories, the collection of Cartier reveals, for the infinity of its detail and sophistication, culture and lifestyle. Throughout the history of the maison, affirms the feelings that are at the heart from the beginning of creation: the search for exceptional value, curiosity, openness and generosity.
The garland style with Art Deco of the 30s, the Chinese style inspired by tutti frutti, that is over 165 years of creativity that only retrospective highlights the approach through the many facets of the style of Cartier , which led him to be hailed as the “king of jewelers, (the) jeweler of kings” by King Edward VII.
From the beginning, Cartier has forged friendly ties with Spain and the royal family in 1904, King Alfonso XIII granted the patent to Cartier official supplier to the royal court. In 1929, during the International Exposition in Barcelona in Montjuic Park, Cartier created a sensation with a necklace set with diamonds of the Aga Khan: 38 round stones and three drops of diamonds 40, 38 and 35 carats.
Along with famous pieces that belonged to large customers, we can discover the diadem crown, offered in 1920 by King Alfonso XIII to Queen Victoria Eugenia as a wedding gift, a loan outstanding, made possible by the royal family, worn by Queen Sofia at official functions.
A new fact, a recently acquired series of pieces in the collection of Cartier was unveiled for the first time, including ruby and diamond necklace he gave Elizabeth Taylor her husband Mike Todd or closure of the Duchess of flamenco Windsor. Creating colorful, illuminated with multicolored plumage of sapphires, rubies and emeralds calibrated color bold interpretation of flamenco in the tradition of a vision that is both naturalistic and poetic.
Moreover, for the occasion, the Palace of Monaco has agreed to be present in the creations of Cartier platinum, as the tiara and necklace that Princess Grace is in the official photos of her marriage in 1956, a gift from Prince Rainier III.
The presence of the Collection Cartier at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza may seem bold, scenery of Jorge Varela, based on a visual journey, integrates perfectly with the mission of the Museum. In collections of paintings, among some of the world most famous Cartier collection maintains a set of resonances and correspondingly fruitful dialogue.