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Jean Schlumberger ‘Jewels Of The Imagination’ Exhibit At The MFA Museum In St. Pete

The Museum of Fine Arts in St Petersburg, Florida

The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida. Photo Farrah Estrella

Hola Estrellitas! If you are a fan of jewelry like me, you must see this new jewelry exhibit “Jewels Of The Imagination” at the Museum Of Fine Arts (MFA) in St. Petersburg, Florida.

This exhibition brings together the extensive Jean Schlumberger collection of American horticulturalist, gardener, philanthropist, and art collector Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon. Mrs. Mellon donated it to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts between 1985 and 2015 and it is considered the largest, most comprehensive public collection of Jean Schlumberger’s work in the world.

Jean Schlumberger Diamonds and Turquoise Necklace

Jean Schlumberger Diamonds and Turquoise Necklace. Photo Farrah Estrella

Schlumberger, as he is known in the jewelry world, began his career as a designer of costume jewelry for couturier Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s and became Vice President of Tiffany & Co. in 1956. The inspiration for his designs came mostly from nature and from exotic locations such as Bali, India, and Thailand. He loved to play with color, movement, and shape. Schlumberger’s designs graced the necks, wrists and lapels of style icons of the era like Jacqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Diana Vreeland, Elizabeth Taylor and of course, Bunny Mellon.

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete. Photo Farrah Estrella

I don’t know if I ever told you guys this that I worked at Tiffany & Co. a few years ago during the holiday season. I wanted to learn a lot more about jewelry and it was an amazing experience. I remember watching a video during my training about Schlumberger and how everyone in the company spoke so highly of him and his designs. He really left his mark at Tiffany’s and his designs can still be seen today being worn by some of the most famous actresses in the world on the red carpet, especially at the Oscars.

At the exhibit, I had the opportunity to see 135 spectacular pieces by Jean Schlumberger and not only was I in awe of their beauty, I was inspired.

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete. Photo Farrah Estrella.

And that’s not all guys, there is also a companion exhibit called “Drawn to Beauty: The Art and Atelier of Jean Schlumberger”, that was created by the curators of the MFA to explore Schlumberger’s process as an artist and designer, while offering insight into his relationships with the jet set. The exhibition, which features sketches, photographs, objets d’art and personal items belonging to the artist, also includes jewelry from the Tiffany & Co. archives and from private collections. The MFA has also created a catalog for Drawn to Beauty”, which features a number of pieces that are being exhibited for the first time.

If you are in the Tampa Bay area, you must see this mesmerizing exhibit at The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in St. Petersburg, Florida from December 15, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete. Photo Farrah Estrella

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete

Jean Schlumberger Exhibit at The Museum Of Fine Arts in St Pete. Photo Farrah Estrella

By Farrah Estrella

Farrah Estrella is an award winning Latina, plus size, fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger. She is also a fitness enthusiast and food lover. A native of the Dominican Republic, she has been the editor of the Estrella Fashion Report since 2012. Follow her on twitter at @FarrahEstrella and @EstrellaFReport

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