With the Renaissance came a Europe-wide revival of the classical art of engraving gemstones with portraits. This exhibition of some 200 intaglios and cameos explores how jewellers have adapted this art form through the ages. Find out more from the State Hermitage Museum’s website.
Preview the exhibition below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Intaglio depicting Cleopatra with baby (1st century BC), Alexandria. Photo: © The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, 2019

Intaglio depicting Adoration of the Shepherds (late 16th century), Italy. Photo: © The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, 2019

Cameo with a bust of Christ (16th century), Italy. Photo: © The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, 2019

Cameo depicting Alexander the Great, conversing with Diogenes (17th century), Italy, with 19th-century Russian frame. Photo: © The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, 2019
Making art behind bars can be its own form of release