Brooch with an opal and pearl, about 1900
Louis Zorra (possibly born in Italy and working in Paris, dates
unknown
Gold, silver, enamel, sapphire, opal, and pearl
*Private collection
*Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

**Please note this exhibition has been postponed. You can visit the museum’s website for more information…

Beginning October 24 and running through January 17, 2010 is Imperishable Beauty, a new exhibition of Art Nouveau jewelry at The Cincinnati Art Museum. Selected from one of the finest American private collections, the show features over one hundred works from France, Germany, Austria and the United States by René Lalique, Henri Vever, Philippe Wolfers and Tiffany & Co., among many others. The Art Nouveau period of design took nature at its worst and very best; the sun rose and set on all the stages of life, even until death. Artists reveled in the lyrical quality of this process, which resulted in a hyper-focus on nature, the original drama queen. Whiplash curves unsettled our equilibrium and insect-women shocked our sensibilities into another kind of reality; one not of reason but of uncompromising, imperishable beauty.

Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and shown there last year, the Cincinnati Art Museum will be the only other venue for this exhibition.

Orchid brooch
Georges Fouquet (French, 1862–1957)
Gold, enamel, diamond, and pearl
*Private collection
*Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Hair comb with ivy leaves
René Lalique (French, 1860–1945)
Gold, enamel, sapphire, and horn
*Private collection
*Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston