Nastassja Kinski, photo by Richard Avedon, 1981

“Cleopatra” by Beatrice Brandini

In the beautiful Palazzo Braschi in Rome (magnificent lounges with refined neoclassical stucco), there is an exhibition promoted by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage Capitolina, designed and created by Bulgari: “SerpentiForm – Art, Jewellery, Design.” Exhibition dedicated to the many creative ways that the serpent has taken in the arts, from antiquity to the present day. I have collected some photos of the exhibition, adding others that I find always very interesting.

Bulgari bracelet-watch, 1960

Bulgari bracelet-watch, 1968

Bulgari collier, 1969

Carpet of Fornasetti “We love the snake”

Joana Vasconcelos “Pantelmina#3”, 2001

Fortunato Depero “Quattro serpenti”, 1925

And in fact, already in ancient Rome that the snakes were the protagonists of jewelry, as well as in Egypt, China and India. Greetings, taking from time to time divine powers, fertility, creation or immortality.

Veruschka photographed by Giampaolo Barbieri, Vogue Italy 1975

Veruschka photographed by Michael Comte

Photo by Robert Mapplethorpe

Photo by David La Chapelle

Kate Moss photographed by Mario Sorrenti, 1997

The snake is in our imagination a symbol, a legendary figure who has taken over the centuries many meanings. Symbol of temptation, from Adam and Eve to the Little Prince; the metamorphosis that could be a metaphor for the human (change skin behind a great suffering); of betrayal, with its venom; inevitability, in its life cycle is the eternity and indestructibility of nature, namely that the basic concept, often forgotten, in which nothing is created and nothing is destroyed; sexuality, some tribes still revere him as a symbol of fertility, and is often translated as a phallic symbol …

Alexander Calder

Pouf by Niki the Saint Phalle, 1982

Niki the Saint Phalle sculpture

Keith Haring

Keith Haring USA 19 – 82

Piero Dorazio “Serpente”, 1968

Bulgari has made a sort of talisman, stylistic stamp, iconic characterization of its high jewelry, transforming the snakes into a curved watches-bracelet that, from the forties to the present, have always characterized its collections.

   

The beautiful collection of Gucci for S / S 2016

Gucci S/S 2016 collection

Beautiful Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

Dolce & Gabbana, S/S 2016

Roberto Cavalli

The exhibition, in addition to presenting those jewels that we all know, we have dreamed at least once in their life, or seen worn by unforgettable women, shows that the snake has inspired the work of great artists, through photography, painting, fashion or design.

Raquel Zimmermann photographed by Nick Knight

Kate Moss photographed by Juergen Teller

Lara Stone photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

The exhibition also highlights the continuing relationship that the snake has always had with fashion, in fact, present many beautiful creations vintage, from theater archives or from movie sets, in which a prominent part is dedicated to the costumes worn by Elizabeth Taylor the 1963 for the film Cleopatra.

Bulgari Belt, 2010

Snake bracelet by Bulgari

Elizabeth Taylor in the film Cleopatra, 1963

Cleopatra costumes in the exhibition

Glimpses of the magnificent Bulgari jewels inspired by the snake

Personally, I am terrified of snakes, but I recognize that it is one of the most beautiful forms and iconography that we can take from nature and make accessories, prints, patterns or magical details.

    

Great pictures of Guido Mocafico

It’s really a beautiful exhibition to see, where art, fashion and magnificent jewelry are based and complement, an inspiration for creative or just for curious people who love beauty.

    

“Snakes Mood” by Beatrice Brandini

    

“Snakes Mood” by Beatrice Brandini

Eva by Beatrice Brandini

Blouson by Valentino, 1971

Good life to all!

Beatrice