Paradox of Pearls

This exhibition highlights the pearl as more than a fashion accessory. As one of the most sought-after commodities of the early modern colonial enterprise and a precious jewel tied to bondage, and violence, pearls have a complex history that will be unraveled and reframed in this exhibition.

Four thematic sections examine pearls and their varied, often contradictory meanings, through the lens of piety, power, natural properties, and performance. The visually rich exhibition features fine and decorative art, including rarely seen artworks from The Frick Pittsburgh’s collection and loans from partner institutions including the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation, the Posner Center for Special Collections at Carnegie Mellon University, and several private collections. Contemporary art, including work from Gavin Benjamin and Ann Carrington, will be featured throughout the exhibition, disrupting the temporal narrative to draw attention to the enduring legacies of the gem.

Paradox of Pearls is a show organized by The Frick Pittsburgh in partnership with Duquesne University professor Laura Engel, Ph.D.