Cartier and Myth at the Capitoline Museums: jewellery, ancient techniques and classical inspiration

Cartier and Myth at the Capitoline Museums: jewellery meets antiquity

Until 15 March 2026, the Capitoline Museums host a temporary exhibition that places historic Cartier jewellery in direct conversation with classical Greek‑Roman art. The display creates a narrative where precious objects, marble sculptures and archaeological finds highlight how myth has inspired high jewellery design.

Housed in Palazzo Nuovo, the exhibition brings together works largely from the Cartier heritage collection alongside sculptures from the original collection of Cardinal Alessandro Albani, items from the Capitoline Superintendency and loans from institutions and private collections.

Highlights of the exhibition

• Unexpected pairings: jewellery pieces are juxtaposed with ancient sculptures to reveal classical references and contemporary reinterpretations.
• Mythological themes: figures such as Apollo, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Zeus and Demeter provide recurring motifs that inform shapes, symbols and ornamentation.
• Craftsmanship on display: enamelling, inlays, engraving and settings are showcased to trace links between ancient techniques and modern goldsmithing.
• Signature installation: the exhibition design is by Sylvain Roca with creative input from master set designer Dante Ferretti; curators include jewellery historian Bianca Cappello, archaeologist Stéphane Verger and Capitoline Superintendent Claudio Parisi Presicce.

Visitor figures

The project has attracted significant public interest since opening, with tens of thousands of visitors and a notable share of entries via the MIC Card, highlighting the card's role in facilitating cultural access.

Practical visitor information

• Dates: until 15 March 2026.
• Location: Capitoline Museums, Palazzo Nuovo, Rome.
• Tickets: available through the official Capitoline Museums channels; MIC Card holders may be entitled to free entry under the card’s conditions.
• Tips: book ahead on busy days; allow 60–90 minutes to explore the full route and technical sections.

The exhibition offers a distinctive chance to see how high jewellery borrows, transforms and reinvents classical imagery: a cultural reading of craftsmanship, iconography and stylistic evolution from antiquity to modern design.