Two exhibitions of the dazzling jewelry and innovative decorative fine art by renowned designer, Jean Schlumberger, was the primary reason I wanted to visit the Fine Arts Museum of St. Petersburg. But there was even more to see here than I originally anticipated! We were thrilled that our friends, Liz and Mike, decided to join us for the day.
The Museum of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg was founded by Margaret Acheson Stuart (1869-1980) and opened in 1965 with a goal to “pursue excellence in art from antiquity to the present through collection, exhibition, and education for its diverse audience.”
First we went to the Drawn to Beauty, The Art & Atelier of Jean Schlumberger exhibition (12/15/2018-3/31/2019). Schlumberger (1907-1987) was a French jewelry designer who became well known when he began working at Tiffany & Company in 1956 (until his retirement in the 1970s). His client list was an impressive array of the rich and famous throughout the world. Here are some of my favorite pieces.
Many of his designs reflected his fascination with nature, particularly marine life. Below are two Starfish Brooches (1960): the first has rubies, diamonds, gold; and, the second, sapphires, diamonds, emeralds, and gold.
Pendant (1956)
Also on display were several pieces Schlumberger created at his own studio in NYC prior to being recruited by Tiffany.
Trophy of Valor (1941) Brooch (1949)
The Jewels of the Imagination exhibition (12/15/2018-3/10/2019) was next.
It showcases exquisite pieces from the extensive collection of Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon donated to the Museum of Fine Arts of Virginia. It is the largest public collection of Schlumberger’s work. The creations are amazing and the design of the exhibition was dreamy!
Bunny was a horticulturist and philanthropist. Her love of flowers and nature are reflected in the jewelry and decorative fine art pieces Schlumberger created for her.
Floral Coussin Brooch (1963) Tiger Lily Clip (1956)
Check out the luster of the pearls on this gorgeous pearl necklace with jeweled clasp. The photo does not do it justice.
But he made more than jewelry for her. Below is one of the many cigarette cases on display.
Wings Cigarette Case (1958)
These jeweled decorative pieces were stunning. Can you imagine having so much money that you could commission someone to create these for your dining room table?
Columns and Sphere (1966)
Obelisk (1971) and Salt Cellars (1965)
But it was the jewelry that I found most enchanting.
Jasmine, Breath of Spring (1966) Coussin and Flowers (1959)
Butterflies Bracelets (1956)
Friends, Mike and Liz Flower and Leaves (1958)
Pisces Brooch (1965) Blue Shell Clip (1957)
There are numerous galleries that showcase the Museum’s collection. Below are several items from the Asian Art gallery.
Shiva as Lord of the Dance, Jaina Shrine (c 1600)
India (19thcentury)
India (19thcentury)
Standing Horse, Han Vest, silk w/silver and gold thread,
Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) Qing Dynasty (c 1900)
Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) Qing Dynasty (c 1900)
This contemporary work is not my preferred style, but I did like these two paintings by American artists.
Syd Solomon, WESTCOASTALSCAPE (1963)
Judy Pfaff, Year of the Dog #8 (2009)
The Darkly Magical World of Daisy Makeig-Jones (11/17/2018-8/11/2019) showcases the Fairyland Lustre line manufactured by Wedgwood. Makeig-Jones’s designs are both whimsical and complex. All are fine bone china with underglaze, lustre and gilding. Here a few of the pieces on display.
Fairy in a Cage Octagon Bowl (1916)
In the European Art galleries were numerous paintings and sculptures. We have seen many Monet paintings at various museums, but I must say this is clearly the dreariest. I really do prefer his lilies, but it is always fun to experience new paintings of the great impressionists!
Claude Monet, House of Parliament: Effect of Fog, London (1904)
August Rodin, Invocation (1886) Libero Andreotti, Violin Player (1910)
William Duffield, Still Life with Lemons, Grapes, and Plums (1855)
We stepped outside to the Stuart Sculpture Garden. In addition to the sculptures is a Native American totem pole (with Liz).
The African Art gallery had some very interesting pieces including this Phumbu Mask (Zaire), 20thcentury.
Below are several pieces from the Art of the Americas gallery.
Toltec style of west Mexico (900-1200, Male and Female Figures with Raised Hands
Salado, Mexico (1350-1450 AD), Tonto Polychrome Jar with Feathered Serpent Motif
Two of my favorite pieces (of the 15+) in the Ancient World gallery are:
Portrait of Augustus, First Emperor Red Figure Volute Krater
of Rome (late 1stcentury BC) Apulian (c 330–320 BC)
Glow: Hand-Painted Photographs by E.G. Barnhill exhibition (1/12-4/07/2019) was the last gallery we visited. Barnhill (1894-1987) used the photographic process of uranium dyes on glass for pictures featuring the natural beauty of Florida.
Admission is $15/seniors and $20/adults. For us, it was well worth it! I thought the exhibitions and museum collections were diverse and fascinating. For additional information about upcoming exhibitions and other details about the Museum, go to mfastpete.org.
And after a couple of hours at the museum, we walked to a nearby restaurant for a late lunch.
Next to the museum is a park with a couple of huge strangler fig trees…so crazy looking!
Initially, we sat outside, but the chilly weather drove us inside. The food was good, but companionship with our friends even better!
We all really enjoyed our visit to St. Pete!
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