Showcasing Cartier at the Denver Art Museum

Tempting Tiara from the Cartier Show at the Denver Art Museum

It’s been snowing like crazy here in Colorado these past ten days. We had a couple of bluebird days in the middle of two huge storms, which made our sparkling blanket of snow diamonds shine all the more brilliantly.

But let me tell you about the other kind of diamonds–the real ones, prized stones whose glistening facets have held people in rapt attention for centuries. These stones become even more magnificent when they have been placed into exquisite settings by world renowned jewelers such as Cartier. You’ll see an avalanche of them as well as emeralds, rubies, sapphires, onyx, turquoise and other precious and semi precious stones that have been crafted into fabulous jewelry and objets at Brilliant:  Cartier in the 20th Century at the Denver Art Museum (DAM), a world-exclusive exhibition open–now for extended hours–through March 17th.

Sheer Magnificence from the DAM Cartier Show

Brilliant at the DAM

Magique

I’ve become a huge fan of this museum known for its rich permanent collection as well as its hosting of exciting exhibitions, many of which are French themed. (Lucky for me!) Brilliant showcases Cartier’s rise to preeminence–and the historical events pushing the brand’s evolution into one of the world’s most recognized and prestigious names in the world of jewelry and luxury accessories. From a queen’s tiara to the cigarette case of a wealthy American industrialist, here you can ogle at breathtaking stones and centuries’ worth of tradition and savoir faire synonymous with the Cartier name.

DAM’s Folding Chairs

Allow at least an hour–if not two–to take in this richly curated show. Know that anyone can pick up a light and tidy folding chair at the exhibition entrance and make use of it to rest and contemplate some of the most beguiling showcases. Be sure to allow time for the displays that highlight the various stages of craftsmanship that go into the creation of a Cartier masterpiece; they’re toward the end and well worth the added time you will need to peruse them all.

Amusez-vous bien!

More French Flair in Denver

My Lunch at Le Central

I took in this show just over a week ago and enjoyed a nice blast of French culture and life during my time in Denver. I stumbled upon Le Central, a reasonably-priced French restaurant not far from the Denver Art Museum, that I’ve wanted to check out for quite some time. I feasted upon a huge serving of moules marinières accompanied by a glass of Muscadet sur Lie before the show and basked in the sunny ambiance of Le Central’s French-inspired decor. 

My all-time French favorite in Denver, however, is Bistro Vendôme, a restaurant that I wrote about in Denver à la Française:  A French Whirlwind in the Mile-High City, a fine dining establishment I visited when I attended another French-themed show at DAM, one that celebrated the life and legacy of fashion designer extraordinaire Yves Saint Laurent.

I can’t help but wonder what’s next!

Thank you to the Denver Art Museum for the use of some of the photos in this post.