JEWELS OF THE LOUVRE with Sylvia Sagona

The Louvre houses a treasure trove of jewels, from the crowns and regalia of the kings of France, to those depicted in its extraordinary art collection.

We will explore the meanings behind the evolving fashion in rings, brooches, and insignia as well as jewelled toothpicks and men's hatpins. From the Middle ages to the 19^th century, jewellery tells us as much about the society of the times as it does about the sitters for portraits. The Empress Eugènie changed her pearls for diamonds when electric lighting replaced the soft glow of gaslight and enhanced the sparkle of cut stones.

This unusual virtual visit of the Louvre may in some way replace any real experience of Paris in 2021.

SYLVIA SAGONA is an internationally recognised specialist on 19^th century French society. She retired from the French Department at The University of Melbourne to work on historical documentaries for French and Australian television. She has presented lectures at TJC since 2008. Her most recent lecture was The Voices of Angels (2019). Later in 2021, Sagona has been invited by the Italian luxury brand Bvlgari to celebrate their new collection based on Ancient Roman monuments.

This lecture is presented on-site at The Johnston Collection. Please see your ticket for details.

Image: detail of Josephine taken from Jacques-Louis David (Paris, 1748 - Brussels, 1825) The Coronation of the Emperor Napoleon I and the Crowning of the Empress Joséphine in Notre-Dame Cathedral on 2 December 1804, 1806-07, (exhibited 1808) oil on canvas | 6.21 x 9.79 mm Louvre Museum, Paris, France, INV. 3699 Public Domain