An Eye for Beauty, the Illuminata Jewelry Collection

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Presented by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, the upcoming exhibition titled “An Eye for Beauty, the Illuminata Jewelry Collection” promises to be a captivating journey into the world of collecting by an eminent collector from Hong Kong.

This marks the fourth installment in the “Through the Eyes of a Connoisseur” series dedicated to the nuances of taste and the art of collecting. Following the footsteps of previous editions, which commenced with a 20th-century American Jewelry collection (New York, 2018), followed by treasures from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (L’ÉCOLE Middle East, Dubai, 2018), and the prestigious Art Nouveau pieces curated by Kazumi Arikawa (L’ÉCOLE Japan, Tokyo, 2019), this exhibition focuses once again on the dialogue between cultures and their criteria of beauty.

Featuring around 50 diverse artifacts, the exhibition represents a fusion of Western and Eastern aesthetics. It showcases European and Chinese masterpieces that reflect the refined taste of an esteemed private collector and connoisseur. Hence, visitors will embark on a journey to explore the concept of beauty from various perspectives, emphasizing the notions of versatility and transformation over 300 years of art history.

This seventh exhibition of L’ÉCOLE in Hong Kong will be divided into three chapters, each representing a unique facet of the collector’s passionate journey. The first section will present exquisite examples of Ming-era furniture, celebrating the harmonious blend of craftsmanship and elegance. The main section will feature approximately 40 pieces of Western jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries, spanning styles from the Baroque, Victorian, Belle Époque, and Edwardian eras. In addition, a selection of contemporary pieces by renowned designers such as JAR and Carnet will be on display, highlighting the intimate connection between jewelry and the wearer’s body. To further emphasize this personal dimension, three ladies’ garments will be paired with precious ornaments, showcasing the freedom that collectors possess in expressing their personal style with jewelry. The last section of the exhibition devoted to Qing court jewels aims to provide insights into heritage and its evolution across generations.

The curated exhibition is led by Nicolas Luchsinger, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Asia Pacific, with valuable contributions from Mathilde Rondouin, Art Historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. The central theme of the exhibition revolves around the collector’s journey, exploring the interconnected aspects of beauty, jewelry, and transformation.