Brilliant Europe - Jewels from the European courts
ING Cultural Centre
Mont des Arts / Kunstberg
pl. Royale/ Koningsplein 6
1000 Brussels
+32 2 547 22 92
from October 24th 2007 to February 17th 2008
Brilliant Europe is an exhibition of jewels which left their mark on history because they once belonged to monarchs or to members of their immediate entourage.
They show the importance European sovereigns attached to regalia. Indeed,
their concern for prestige and splendour influenced their relations with powerful men and women right across Europe. This exhibition therefore ties in perfectly with
the europalia.europa festival, which focuses on relations between European countries.
Illustrated by 200 pieces of jewellery selected for their quality, provenance or history, the exhibition provides an overview of jewellery from the time of Charlemagne through to the end of Europe’s traditional monarchies at the beginning of the twentieth century. The majority of these jewels belonged to monarchs who enjoyed fame
in Europe for their contribution to the development of a philosophical school of thought or for their diplomatic, economic, social or cultural achievements.
These important political figures were acting as Europeans before the term had been invented.
The crown jewels play an important symbolic role. In a Europe where there was considerable contact between the various reigning dynasties, they were symbols
of status, wealth and power. Moreover, the strict rules governing the wearing of them, dictated by rank, circumstances, etc., reflect the sophistication of the codes upheld between these dynasties in Portugal and in Sweden, in the United Kingdom and in
the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We should also remember that jewellery represented
a substantial financial capital which could be cashed in should the need arise.
These exceptional pieces of jewellery are shown surrounded by paintings, miniatures, engravings and accessories such as the jewellery boxes designed to protect them.
In their turn these works of art reflect the history of a European style prevalent among those at the top of the social ladder.
This ambitious project has been realized thanks to the cooperation of numerous princely, private and museum collections, including the Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Louvre in Paris, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, the Palacio Real in Madrid,
the Palacio Nacional da Ajuda in Lisbon and the Hungarian National Museum.
Curators:
Diana Scarisbrick, Historical jewellery expert
Jan Walgrave, Honorary Director of the Diamond Museum Province of Antwerp
Christophe Vachaudez, Expert on the history of jewellery in European royal collections
Patricia De Peuter, Artistic Director, Art Department ING Belgium
Organized by: Art Department ING Belgium
