Cartier is bringing its exhibition of over 350 jewels, including gemstones the size of golf balls, to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne as part of the gallery’s Winter Masterpieces series. The show, which had a sell-out run at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, traces how brothers Louis, Pierre, and Jacques Cartier transformed their grandfather’s small Parisian business into a global jewelry empire, with many pieces inspired by the natural world.
The exhibition matters because it not only showcases the opulent craftsmanship that adorned aristocrats, industrialists, and actors throughout the 20th century, but also highlights how Cartier’s designs—such as the bird brooch that defied the Nazis—carry historical and political significance. By presenting these jewels in an art museum context, the show underscores the intersection of luxury, art, and history, offering insight into how a single family business shaped global taste and survived tumultuous times.