What Happens When Art Meets Jewellery?

“The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke”

- Jerzy Kosinski

Can we ever explain art in words? The Dictionary explains in one single  sentence- “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Now if we go and ask an art connoisseur, I’m sure he/she will be at loss of words as to what they see in a painted canvas which remains hidden to a normal eye. They perceive art in a completely different manner. As said before, it evokes. Art evokes emotions in our hearts and minds which makes them fall in love with a mere piece of canvas and spend millions on it.

Now Imagine, the beautiful pieces of jewellery that we see in this world. Encrusted with the most precious stones present, glittering even in the pale moonlight. Each special and unique in its own, each has a story of its own. It is often said, jewellery is made with stories. Each one has a story behind it. Whether it’s a proposal story or a mother-daughter relationship story. The simplest ones, probably even made of copper, have something to say. Hence, it is  special in its own way.

This blog is an amalgamation of two of the greatest forms art- Jewellery Making and Fine Art. One would question what is a painter doing in a jewellery exhibition or a jewellery designer  doing in an art exhibition. What remains true even today, Fine art is one of the greatest inspirations to many jewellery designers. Inspired by the classics like Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, jewellery brands are selling pieces that are worth millions of dollars or even priceless to a collector.

Why would an art connoisseur spend millions on a jewellery piece? Or, why do luxury jewellery designers or brands take the support of art to create events that showcase premium jewellery too? Or, simply why are people merging these two forms of art together, in the first place?

The answer to all three questions remains the same and it's quite simple. The reason is that true art lovers have high standards in terms of taste and would therefore be the perfect audience to attract using art and then also shown the pieces of luxury jewellery. What we might see as plain spiralled earrings, art lovers will know is an inspired piece and its value in their world is priceless.

A collector of such jewellery, Diane Venet had held an exhibition in Paris to showcase 260 such pieces. In an interview with BBC she quoted “Often, what you find here are personal stories, pieces made by an artist not for commerce but for somebody,” she adds. “I don’t think it’s a tradition. I think it’s a challenge for these artists. They pick it up when they want to do it, when they have time, sometimes when they meet me and like me. It’s random. It’s often about friendship.”

Below is a list of some of the best jewellery pieces we’ve come across by the artists inspired by fine art. They have successfully been able to merge the two art forms and create something original and classic, some of these are also sold by some of the best luxury brands there.

1. ‘Sunflower painting’ By Van Gogh

It was an American jewelry designer, Alex Soldier who identified the famous sunflower paintings of Vincent Van Gogh and came up with his own sunflower rings. The beautiful piece of jewellery is made of gold, black diamonds and tsavorite. He tried replicating the central motifs of the painting and created the astounding rings.

2. “Happy Butterfly Day” By Andy Warhol

Next  in line, we’ve got a beautiful piece of diamond necklace from Bulgari. Bulgari’s butterfly gemstone and diamond is inspired by Andy Warhol’s famous painting of “Happy Butterfly Day’. Made from rose gold, this inspiration has a famous story behind it. Apparently, back in the days, Andy Warhol had offered Mr. Nicola Bulgari some paintings in exchange for some jewels. Mr. Bulgari had refused saying as a youngster he didn’t like Warhol’s style. He never expected that his paintings would be worth that much. Mr. Bulgari claims it was the worst deal of his life. Perhaps, this is his way to make amends. You can find the necklace at Bulgari’s and the price is on request.

3. ‘Water Lilies Series’ by Claude Monet

Even a non artsy person has at least once come across the eye arresting paintings of water lilies by Claude Monet. Inspired by the flower garden at his home in Giverny, this series of approx 250 oil paintings, made by Monet. Said to be the focus of his artists' production during the last 30 years of his life, Water Lilies also served as an inspiration to  the master of enamel, Ilgiz Fazulzyanov. He was trained as a painter and hence perfected the colours and excelled in his skills to bring the canvas live in his rings.

4. Still Life paintings by Michelangelo da Caravaggio

The splendour of Caravaggio inspired the artists at Jewellery Theatre to create a whole collection in the name of the Italian master, ‘Caravaggio’. The collection features a plethora of rings, earrings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets focusing on the central motif- fruits. It successfully captures the intricacies, the labyrinth of an orange, the rich emerald colors of a kiwi fruit and the luscious reds of a ripe strawberry. The spectacular collection is made of gold and precious stones. 

The 17th century artist is famous for his paintings, cleverly balancing his highlights and shadows and light colors with a tinge of the dark shades. The collection by Jewellery Theatre has done complete justice to his paintings and each piece brings out the warmth and sunshine of a summer day.

5. “The Garden Of Earthly Delights” By Hieronymus Bosch

‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ is the modern title given to a triptych oil painting on oak panel painted by Hieronymus Bosch and is currently housed in Museo del Prado, Madrid. The fantasy painting has been a long time fascination of the jewellery designer, Bibi van der Velden who created a magnificent piece of bracelet made from diamonds, pearl, gold and silver. This bracelet takes the form of a mermaid’s tail and is gracefully finished with a touch of class.

6. “Primavera” By Sandro Botticelli

The Italian Renaissance painter, Sandro Boticelli depicts Spring Season in his famous painting, Primavera which was made in the late 1470s. Primavera falls under ‘One of the most Controversial paintings of the World’ and also ‘One of the most Written about paintings.’ It depicts a group of western mythological figures in a garden. The painting can now be seen at The Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Inspired by this piece of art is Sophie Bille Brahe. She looked into the depths of the painting and created a gold and pearl hair jewel. She focused on details which would go unnoticed at the first glance. When we see carefully, one of the ‘Three Graces’, more specifically on the right has adorned her hair with pearls arranged in a crescent shape. This arrangement is often seen in the  beautiful designs of Bille Brahe. She created a hair pin in a croissant shape and is called the Croissant Grace hair pin.

These are just a few examples of designers getting inspired from artists and creating exquisite collections. But there are so many luxury jewellery brands like Palmiero who have created collections consisting of  jewellery, watches and even stationary each inspired from masters like Kandinsky, Van Gogh, Gaugin, Picasso and Mondrian. The founder and chief innovator, Carlo Palmiero is a passionate ambassador of fine art.
Similarly, there have been artists like Piccasso and Salvador Dali who themselves have created jewellery pieces that we can find even today at various exhibitions.

Conclusion:

I personally believe that inspiration can be found anywhere- whether fine art or nature. Artists themselves keep pushing the boundaries of creativity. Mixing jewellery designing with different forms of art is the way to go. Jewellery inspired by fine art has an audience who are willing to pay a huge sum of money to pursue their love and passion for art and collect fascinating pieces.