Private Passion. Artists' Jewelry of the 20th Century

Small and Precious Things by Great Masters

Who doesn’t know twentieth-century famous works such as Picasso's “Guernica”, Meret Oppenheims “Déjeuner en fourrure” or the paintings of Max Ernst? Through stylistic movements like Surrealism, Cubism, Fauvism or the Nouveau Réalisme the artists of the avant-garde not only represented the spirit of the time in a memorable way, but also were significantly responsible for forming it.

The new publication PRIVATE PASSION now shows those phenomenal artists with their jewellery designs from a different, mostly unknown and rather intimate perspective. In this context it is fascinating to explore how the general ideas of Man Ray’s ready-mades or Alexander Calder’s mobiles also show in their earrings and necklaces. It highlights the whole range of styles from the twentieth-century artistic movements to the spectator. Still, the meaning of the single object stays enciphered, multilayered, enigmatic and can only be grasped subjectively—a common characteristic for great art.  

Thus, the six authors wrote the accompanying texts in a visionary, poetic, in parts philosophical way. Inspired by those tiny, very personal works, they were seduced to insightfully associate; instead of just telling the mere facts about the artists that are already part of common knowledge. Hence the reader learns about Valentina searching for treasures, the future of a girl in a photograph, an apricot tree full with fruit, or the creative ways to seduce Zeus. The sources of inspiration are collective yet individual at the same time, and infinitely beautiful - just like the unique pieces of jewellery themselves. 

PRIVATE PASSION shows well-known artists and stylistic movements within a new livery. A book for everybody who likes to take a look at the great twentieth-century artists from a different perspective; a book for enthusiasts of all that is exceptional in jewellery.


Artists
Arman | Jean (Hans) Arp | Paul Beckman | Barbara Bloom | Louise Bourgeois | 
Georges Braque | Alexander Calder | César | Jean Cocteau | Sonia Delaunay | André Derain | Max Ernst | Lucio Fontana | Keith Haring | Jenny Holzer | Robert Indiana | Anish Kapoor | Yves Klein | Joep van Lieshout | Meret Oppenheim | Pablo Picasso | Man Ray | Alexander Schabracq | Rob Scholte | Han Schuil | Carel Visser | Ben Zegers

With texts by Marjoleine de Vos | Willem van Toorn | Rosita Steenbeek | Cornel Bierens | Nicolaas Matsier | Hans den Hartog Jager.