ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS JEWELRY DESIGN-Art history of jewelry

You will observe how ‘‘a simple drawing’’ gives life to a jewelry creation.

Who are the authors of jewelry drawings, the “designers”? What techniques do they rely upon? What are the uses of jewelry drawings over time? In three sections, you will grasp the importance of beauty in jewelry design, from the 15ᵗʰ century to today. The jewelry art history teacher will unveil works that are as beautiful as they are remarkable.

The designer will give a contemporary point of view, relying upon her experience as a designer and gouacheuse in several Maisons on the Place Vendôme. She will show her tools and will show you one of her sketchbooks.

You will then have the opportunity to handle the different types of materials used over the centuries and to leaf through several illustrated catalogues of gouachés, recently published by the Maisons in order to present their high jewelry collections.

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About the Course

The first step in of the long process of creating a piece of jewelry, the jewelry drawing is an ancient practice that dates back to the Renaissance. Rendered in pencil, pen, or brush on various surfaces, such as paper, board, parchment, or tracing paper, it will give rise to the final jewelry piece.

This course is the fruit of an important research project carried out over the period of one year by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.
The research was done in archives, libraries, museums, and inside the patrimonial collections of several great jewelry Maisons.

The unique and original content is revealed to you by a jewelry art historian and a designer.

Studio Brédillard - Hatot
Design of a pendant with chain
Gouache on board
circa 1911
Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fund
Photo Benjamin Chelly

Studio Brédillard - Hatot
Design of a neoclassical-style keychain
Gouache on plastic material, mounted on brown board
circa 1911
Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fund
Photo Benjamin Chelly

René Lalique (1860-1945) Drawing of a “Hortensias” tiara. Pencil, ink and gouache on vegetal paper B F K – Rives, circa 1900, Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fund.

Sit back and relax

This course is taught by a jewelry art historian and a designer.
You are welcomed by your teachers before the class starts: a chance to meet each other and share experiences.
You don’t need to bring any specific material.
A certificate is given at the end of the class.
Participate in the courses “The Gouaché in High Jewelry 1: The Light”, and “The Gouaché in High Jewelry 2: The Color’, to initiate yourself into jewelry design practices, and to deepen your understanding of its importance in the creative process.
After each class, teachers deliver a list of books, podcasts, websites, museums related to the course attended.

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What makes L’ÉCOLE experience so special?

High-quality education

L'ÉCOLE as education and research center has a scientific council.

A very unique faculty

All the teachers are passionate experts chosen for their enthusiasm and skill in transmitting their knowledge.

Generosity

Skills are presented with ease in an enjoyable way, hands-on experience and dialogue. Classes are for everyone with no pre-requisites.

Exclusive interaction

Courses are delivered in small groups to allow students to discuss one-on-one with the experts.

Initiation courses

On an “à la carte” basis courses offered to all those who want to learn and become enlightened amateurs.

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS JEWELRY DESIGN