Porcelain Virtuosity

The authentic beauty of porcelain

Renowned sculptors and manufacturers showcase porcelain

The 17th century Longhena Library provides a stunning backdrop for this celebration of contemporary porcelain craftsmanship. Porcelain Virtuosity reveals the inventiveness, innovative approaches and contemporary savoir-faire used to create beautiful objects from this ‘white gold’. The pieces on display, carefully selected from Europe and Japan, include artworks by ceramicists working independently in their studios, as well as objects made in partnership with internationally renowned porcelain manufacturers. Together, they illustrate the collaborative processes between designer and artisan and the different ways in which porcelain artists approach their craft.

Contemporary creation influenced by historical porcelains

European porcelain manufacturers founded during the 18th century were greatly influenced by the fashion at the time for collecting porcelains from Asia and the chinoiserie style in interior decoration. Discover how contemporary porcelain artists are drawing on these stylistic references and reinvigorating the spirit of the Baroque period and the Rococo style by creating artworks that brilliantly realign this decorative heritage with the modern era. Displayed alongside them are pieces reflecting other recent trends, their minimalist or abstract nature providing a contrast to Baroque extravagance while demonstrating equally sophisticated techniques. The result is a contemporary ‘cabinet of curiosities’ offering surprising contrasts and intriguing parallels.

Curated by

David Caméo
The former head of the world-renowned porcelain company Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres and the Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, David Caméo has spent his career serving the decorative arts. A politics graduate, he was an advisor on the decorative arts for the French Ministry of Culture, before becoming a technical advisor for successive culture ministers and then-Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. He is president of Marta Pan - André Wogenscky Foundation and the Roman Opalka Trust. Additionally, he is a trustee for Villa Noailles, CIRVA, School of Jewelry Arts and Paris-Ateliers.
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Frédéric Bodet
From 1999 to 2012, Frédéric Bodet worked at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris as an assistant curator in charge of the collections of modern and contemporary ceramics, jewellery and goldwork. From 2012 to 2019 he was a curator of modern and contemporary collections at the Musée National de Céramique (National Museum for Ceramics) in Sèvres. He has curated many exhibitions for these two renowned institutions as well as many as a freelance curator, especially for the Fondation Bernardaud. A researcher and expert in the applied arts, he gives lectures at European art schools and contributes to reviews and special publications (particularly for specialist publisher Éditions Norma). He often sits on juries for international biennales.
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