In the heart of Rome, on the majestic Capitoline Hill, an extraordinary dialogue comes to life between eternal classicism and exclusive elegance: “Cartier and Myth”, the temporary exhibition inaugurated on November 14, 2025, and open until March 15, 2026, inside the refined halls of Palazzo Nuovo, part of the Capitoline Museums. An immersive experience that merges the millennial history of Greco-Roman sculpture with the sublime goldsmithing artistry of the French Maison.
A Sumptuous Journey Between Ancient Art and High Jewelry
The exhibition gathers rare and iconic pieces, mainly from the Cartier Heritage Collection, displayed in dialogue with marble sculptures from Cardinal Alessandro Albani’s collection and archaeological works selected from prestigious Italian and international institutions.
The result is a narrative that breaks the boundaries of time, where jewelry becomes art itself — telling ancient mythologies with the delicacy of a diamond crown and the symbolic depth of a coral-carved Medusa head.
The Staging: Cinema, Scents, and Dreamlike Scenography
Adding even more magic to the experience is the scenographic direction of Oscar-winning master Dante Ferretti, who designed a cinematic staircase at the entrance, transforming the visit into an emotional journey.
The sensory path is enriched by olfactory installations: Mathilde Laurent, Cartier’s perfumer, presents fragrances inspired by myths — the tuberose aroma embracing the goddess Aphrodite in one room, and notes dedicated to figures such as Hephaestus or the panther of Dionysus in another.
In parallel, hard-stone engravings from Cartier’s glyptic atelier converse with ancient marble, offering an alchemy of materials shaped by form, light, and texture.
A Masterful Curatorial Team
Behind this exceptional exhibition stands a high-profile curatorial team: jewelry historian Bianca Cappello, archaeologist Stéphane Verger, and Capitoline Superintendent Claudio Parisi Presicce.
The exhibition is promoted by Roma Capitale – Department of Culture, Sovrintendenza Capitolina, in collaboration with Cartier and Zètema Progetto Cultura.
Mythology, Symbolism, and Jewelry
“Cartier and Myth” explores how, since the mid-19th century, Cartier has drawn inspiration from the imagery of ancient Greece and Rome, reinterpreting mythological motifs — Apollo, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Heracles — into jewelry with refined lines and profound meaning.
Standout pieces include a 1907 platinum and diamond tiara created for Maria Bonaparte, inspired by Roman vegetal crowns, and the 1958 “Panthère” bracelet evoking Dionysus’ panther in classical sculpture.
The dialogue between the statue of Dionysus and Cartier creations is emblematic: the power of myth lives again through gemstones, platinum, coral, and the geometry of ancient motifs reimagined in a contemporary key.
Craftsmanship and Technical Excellence
The exhibition goes beyond aesthetics, dedicating an important section to the technical processes behind jewelry creation.
It highlights artisanal methods, glyptic techniques, the selection of hard stones, and the relationship between ancient craftsmanship and Cartier’s modern savoir-faire.
It is also a tribute to the past: since Cartier does not have a permanent museum, exhibitions like this are rare opportunities to admire pieces from the Heritage Collection.
The Importance of Rome and Cartier’s Bond with Italy
The exhibition underlines Cartier’s deep relationship with Italy, particularly with Rome.
In parallel with the show, Cartier has renewed its Via Condotti boutique, transforming it into an elegant Roman salon, designed as a refined labyrinth in dialogue with the art and heritage of the Eternal City.
This initiative is not just a cultural event but a symbolic gesture celebrating Rome’s artistic heritage through the lens of luxury and artisanal creativity.
Practical Information
Where: Palazzo Nuovo, Capitoline Museums, Piazza del Campidoglio 1, Rome
When: daily, 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM (last entry: 1 hour before closing)
Tickets: Full €8, Reduced €7; combined tickets with the Capitoline Museums are available.