The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (MAD Paris), in partnership with the Maison Cartier, have announced the co-organization of Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity. This major exhibition traces the inspirations from and adaptations of Islamic art and design by Louis Cartier and the designers of the great French jewelry Maison for the creation of jewelry and objects from the early 20th century to the present day.

Over 400 objects from the holdings of Cartier, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre Museum, the Keir Collection of Islamic Art on loan to the Dallas Museum of Art, and other major international collections will be presented. The exhibition explores how Cartier’s designers adapted forms and techniques from Islamic art, architecture, and jewelry, as well as materials from India, Iran, and the Arab lands, synthesizing them into a recognizable, modern stylistic language unique to the house of Cartier. Cartier and Islamic Art will make its US premiere in Dallas from May 14 through September 18, 2022, the only North American venue for the exhibition, following its presentation at MAD Paris from October 21, 2021, through February 20, 2022.

Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity is co-curated by Dr. Heather Ecker, The Marguerite S. Hoffman and Thomas W. Lentz Curator of Islamic and Medieval Art at the DMA; Sarah Schleuning, the DMA’s Interim Chief Curator and The Margot B. Perot Senior Curator of Decorative Arts and Design; Évelyne Possémé, Chief Curator of Ancient and Modern Jewelry at MAD Paris; and Judith Hénon, Curator and Deputy Director of the Department of Islamic Art at the Musée du Louvre, Paris.

Cartier et les arts de l’Islam: Aux sources de la modernité
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
October 21, 2021–February 20, 2022

Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity
Dallas Museum of Art
May 14–September 18, 2022