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THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE
London’s museums, theatres and galleries offer a cornucopia of artistic attractions that make a visit to the capital a cultural treat cultureThe capital of
As one of the cultural capitals of the world, London is leading the return to live events and grand exhibitions. The exclusive 11 Cadogan Gardens and The Apartments by 11 Cadogan Gardens; together with their sister London property, The Mayfair Townhouse are ideally located to provide the perfect base from which to explore the capital and enjoy the rich programme of events that has been created to herald a return to the grandiose in 2022. The Victoria and Albert Museum (vam.ac.uk) is leading the way with Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution, which will be on display until 8 May 2022. The exhibition explores both the life of the renowned artist and goldsmith and looks at the historical events and royal patrons who influenced and inspired his work. It is a sumptuous showcase of more than 200 objects that tell the story of the life of Peter Carl Fabergé, who lived from 1846 until 1920. The exhibition reveals the impressive detail and scale of his exquisite work. Arranged over three sections, the story begins with an insight into Fabergé’s youth, his travels through Europe and introduction into the family firm. The techniques that he employed and the intricate detailing became synonymous with Fabergé and symbolised Russian craftsmanship and elegance. But it was the patronage of the Imperial Romanov family that established his reputation internationally and enabled him to exercise creativity without restrictions. A miniature of the Imperial Regalia, lent by the Hermitage Museum, was made for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle and is a perfect example of his work at this time.
The huge success at the 1900 Paris Exposition made it clear that Fabergé would have a keen customer base outside Russia. Fabergé’s choice of London for its new premises was partly because it was the financial capital of the world, a luxury retail destination
Top The House of Fabergé on New Bond Street, London, was feted by London’s aristocracy and a global clientele Left The exquisite Alexander Palace Egg was created for Russia’s Tsar Nicholas II as an Easter gift for his wife Alexandra and depicts their children and favourite palace
able to draw a wealthy and international clientele, and home of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra who were already avid Fabergé collectors, making royal patronage in London highly likely. In 1903, the only branch of The House of Fabergé was opened outside Russia and this is the subject of the second section of the exhibition.
Fabergé initially operated from the Berners Hotel but quickly moved to Oxford Street then Dover Street before finally moving to 173 New Bond Street (now occupied by Chanel). Works were carefully tailored for a British clientele including hardstone portraits of the farm animals the King and Queen bred at Sandringham, their favourite country estate. Objects in the exhibition include commissions from The King of his faithful wire-haired fox terrier Caesar, and a silver model portrait of Persimmon, his most loved and successful racehorse, which were both created in 1908. There is also one of the firm’s rarest creations, a figurine of a veteran English soldier from 1909.
While the animals and figurines are charming, it is undoubtedly the Imperial Easter Eggs for which Fabergé is best known and provide his lasting legacy. Kieran McCarthy and Hanne Faurby, curators of this exhibition, explain why the eggs are in the third and final section: “This exhibition focuses on the overlooked importance of his London branch. It attracted a global clientele of royalty, aristocrats, business titans and socialites. Stories of love, friendship and unashamed social climbing take visitors on a journey of sublime artistry and patronage towards the revolution that tragically closed Fabergé. We will send visitors away on a high by honouring his greatest legacy with a dazzling final display of his iconic Easter Eggs.”
The collection on display includes several eggs that have never been shown in the UK, such as the largest Imperial Egg, the Moscow Kremlin Egg, which was inspired by the architecture of the Dormition Cathedral and is on loan from the Moscow Kremlin Museum. The Alexander Palace Egg, featuring watercolour portraits of the children of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra, contains a surprise model of the palace inside and takes centre stage alongside the Tercentenary Egg, created to celebrate 300 years of the Romanov dynasty, only a few years before the dynasty crumbled.
Although Carl Fabergé’s
Left A depiction of Edward VII’s favourite dog, a wire-haired fox terrier named Caesar Top Fabergé also worked in silver, creating the King’s most successful racehorse who won The Derby, St Leger and Ascot Gold Cup Above The miniature copy of the Imperial Regalia was created in silver, gold, diamonds, sapphires and rubies set on a marble pedestal Left Human figures are among Fabergé’s rarest creations. This Chelsea pensioner was purchased by King Edward VII in 1909
firm ceased to exist, the myth crystallised around the Imperial Easter Eggs and the demand for Fabergé pieces has endured with designs continuing to inspire, captivate and delight.
Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution is on at the V&A Museum until 8 May 2022.
The cultural importance of London is as strong today as it was during Fabergé’s time, over 100 years ago. Among the many highlights for 2022 is classical music at the Barbican Centre courtesy of the London Symphony Orchestra (lso.co.uk), which was named by Gramophone as one of the top five orchestras in the world. The LSO performs around 70 concerts a year and has an enviable family of artists; conductors include Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director, Gianandrea Noseda and FrançoisXavier Roth as Principal Guest Conductors and Michael Tilson Thomas as Conductor Laureate.
Ballet lovers will be thrilled at the current and forthcoming productions at the Royal Opera House (roh.org.uk). Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet is on the main stage until 25 February. Later in 2022 look out for the classical Swan Lake and a more contemporary Like Water for Chocolate, a full-length ballet based on the Mexican book.
English National Opera (eno.org) starts the year with La Bohème and The Cunning Little Vixen, followed by Mozart’s comic masterpiece Così Fan Tutte, and a powerful new production of The Handmaid’s Tale, a reimagining of Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel.
Productions based on books are a recurring theme as The Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Mirror and the Light continues at the Gielgud Theatre. This is the third play in the Wolf Hall Trilogy, Hilary Mantel’s award-winning novels of historical fiction surrounding the life of Thomas Cromwell during the reign of Henry VIII.
This year is also a time to experience history in the making as the capital leads the country to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There will be a four-day Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June to mark the monarch’s sevendecade reign. Events planned include a pageant with 5,000 performers and a Platinum Party, a concert at Buckingham Palace featuring the world’s biggest entertainment stars. The Queen and members of the Royal Family will also visit Epsom Downs on Saturday 4 June for The Derby.
Above Enjoy Kenneth MacMillan’s production of Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House until the end of February Below Jonthan Miller’s La Bohème with the English National Opera retells this classic tale of tragic romance and is set 100 years later than the original in the 1930s’ streets of Paris
