The National Gallery is our nation’s treasure box: home to one of the world’s greatest collections of art. Since opening in 1824, it has inspired artists and creatives of every description. Now, to mark 200 years, Boodles have created a collection of high jewellery to celebrate this landmark year. Three new Boodles collections take inspiration from artistic techniques: Play of Light, Brushstrokes and Perspective.
Finnish artist Askeli Gallen-Kallela’s painting of Lake Keitele in central Finland was the inspiration behind the Play of Light ‘Lake Keitele’ pendant, bangle and earrings.
Boodles designers responded to the distinctive zigzag pattern on the water’s surface, now mirrored by rows of marquise cut diamonds. The blue-white shimmer of light in the painting dazzles as amongst the stones.
Play of Light ring featuring white diamonds and multi-coloured sapphires set in 18 carat Single Mine Origin yellow gold, £11,000 (Image: Boodles) A brighter, more colourful palette inspires the necklace, earrings and ring in the second Play of Light set. Claude Monet’s ‘Water-Lillies, Setting Sun’ depicts his water garden in Giverny.
It’s one of around 250 canvases painted of the garden over the last two decades of Monet’s life. The suites evoke an experimental approach to capturing the modulations of light as it transforms water, coming to life in cheerful pink tourmaline ovals and peridot cushions.
Canaletto’s ‘Piazza San Marco’ and ‘Entrance to the Cannaregio’ inspired the ‘Perspective’ bangle. The arches that line Saint Mark’s Square and shape thousands of windows throughout the city’s palaces are key motifs in these pieces. In the ring and bangle, you can look through an arch to see one further away. The bangle features Ashoka cut stones: a unique cut featuring 62 facets, only available to buy from Boodles in Europe.
‘Motherhood’ in all of its forms is a unifying theme in the National Gallery. From the tender portrayals seen in Sassoferrato’s painting to the depictions of the Virgin Mary and Christ child, the essence of motherhood, characterised by loving care, echoes timelessly through the centuries. The embrace, of figures’ heads leaning lovingly and arms curved in gentle embrace, serves as the inspiration for Boodles Motherhood suite. Each piece, from aquamarine or pink tourmaline pendants to rings and earrings featuring white and pink diamonds, captures the enduring devotion inherent in the portrayal of motherhood in art. To create this collection, Boodles designers gained special access to the Gallery.
You can see the collection at the Boodles studio in Leeds. 112-114 Briggate, Victoria Quarter, Leeds.
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