Jean Schlumberger’s innovative work is as
highly praised now as it was when he created it.
This is only the second showing ever of the
more than 135 pieces of jewelry and objets d’art
from the Bunny Mellon collection that belongs
to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit
is in conjunction with another called “Drawn to
Beauty,” which features drawings, photographs
and creative bejeweled pieces that highlight
the artist and his work. It allows visitors to
delve into the process Schlumberger used to
create his masterpieces. The exhibits have items
from Tiffany & Co. and other collections such
as Bunny Mellon’s, which includes necklaces,
bracelets, cigarette cases and salt cellars. It was
Bunny’s love of gardening that inspired many
of Schlumberger’s botanical pieces on which
she collaborated with him. He was avant-garde,
surreal and visionary, and he created incredible,
jeweled tributes to nature. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Museum of Fine Arts,
St. Petersburg, 255 Beach Drive N.E., can be reached
at (727) 896-2667.
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 57
Schlumberger’s bejeweled terra cotta flowerpot was
inspired by a sunflower from Bunny Mellon’s gardens.