Cartier and Myth at the Capitoline Museums: When Ancient Rome Meets High Jewelry
If you love Rome, art, and beautiful things that sparkle, this exhibition is going to be very hard to resist.
From 14 November 2025 to 15 March 2026, the Musei Capitolini – Palazzo Nuovo opens its first-floor rooms to Cartier and Myth at the Capitoline Museums, a unique exhibition where the masterpieces of Maison Cartier meet the marble gods and heroes of ancient Rome.
A Conversation Between Jewels and Statues
The heart of the exhibition is a fascinating “dialogue” between:
Refined jewelry from the Cartier Collection’s heritage
Marble sculptures from the Albani Collection
Exceptional archaeological artifacts from the Sovrintendenza Capitolina, major Italian and international institutions, and important private collections
Instead of being shown in a neutral space, Cartier’s creations are placed among statues of Aphrodite and Dionysus, Apollo and Heracles, Zeus and Demeter. The result feels like a conversation across centuries: ancient myths and classical forms on one side, glittering modern craftsmanship on the other.
You don’t just see jewelry; you see how it has been shaped by thousands of years of history and imagination.
Why This Exhibition Is Special
This is the first exhibition ever hosted in the 17th-century Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museums – already a good reason to visit.
Curated by:
Bianca Cappello, jewelry historian
Stéphane Verger, archaeologist
Claudio Parisi Presicce, Capitoline Superintendent
It offers an accessible yet rich journey through:
Aesthetics and style – from ancient Greece and Rome to the 20th century and today
Symbolism and mythology – how gods, heroes, and classical motifs inspire modern design
Craftsmanship – techniques, materials, and the art of making jewelry at the highest level
The exhibition also focuses on the deep connection between Cartier, Italy, and Rome, showing how the city’s classical heritage continues to inspire the Maison’s most iconic creations.
A Multi-Sensory Experience
This is not just a “look and read the labels” kind of exhibition. The journey is enriched with:
Audiovisual installations that help you understand the stories and inspirations behind the pieces
Olfactory installations created by Mathilde Laurent, perfumer of Maison Cartier, adding a surprising scent dimension
Hardstones and glyptic works from Cartier’s own engraving workshop
All of this turns the visit into a multi-sensory experience where sight, sound, and even smell work together to tell the story of Cartier and myth.
From Ancient Models to Modern Creations
The marble sculptures of Palazzo Nuovo have long been important reference models for European artists. This exhibition shows how that classical world continues to live inside jewelry design.
You’ll see:
Nods to 19th-century goldsmiths and collectors, including the famous Castellani family in Rome
Pieces inspired by Neoclassical Garland style
Post-war creations influenced by Jean Cocteau
Contemporary Cartier designs that reinterpret antiquity with a modern twist
Step by step, the exhibition reveals how the classical repertoire—forms, symbols, and myths—keeps returning in new ways, proving that ancient inspiration never really goes out of style.
Why You Should Go
If you’re in Rome between November 2025 and March 2026, Cartier and Myth at the Capitoline Museums is a perfect way to:
Discover Cartier from a new angle
See how mythology, gods, and ancient art still shape contemporary luxury
Enjoy a beautiful setting in one of Rome’s most iconic museum complexes
Whether you’re a jewelry lover, a history fan, or simply someone who enjoys beautiful experiences, this exhibition promises an elegant, immersive journey where myth, Rome, and Cartier meet and shine together.
Visitor Info
📍Where: Musei Capitolini – Palazzo Nuovo, first-floor rooms
📅When: From 14 November 2025 to 15 March 2026
🕤Time: Every day: 9:30 – 19:30
⏰Last entrance: one hour before closing
🎟️Purchase tickets: Online
📞Information: +39 060608, every day from 9:00 to 19:00
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