Marie Laurencin's work on display in Columbus, thanks to LAGOS Fine Jewelry
Identity, history and jewelry combine to bring a new artistic attraction to downtown Columbus this summer.
On June 5, the Columbus Museum of Art partnered with LAGOS Fine Jewelry to open a new exhibition, Marie Laurencin: Sapphic Paris. This exhibit was initially opened at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia from October of 2023 to January of 2024.
Steven Lagos, LAGOS founder and creative director, said he was ecstatic.
It's remarkable," said Lagos. "I think in the last 30 years, this is the biggest exhibit of her (Laurencin's) work that's been available."
Laurencin's work stood out to Lagos due to its instantly recognizable quality, something that the LAGOS brand aspires toward, as well.
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But beyond the aesthetics and discernible features, Laurencin's work pushed the envelope of thematic conveyance in art.
"By the 1920s, she has made, I think, a judicious and, for her, an essential decision to only paint women," said Daniel Marcus, the curator of collections and exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Art.
Laurencin's work has a clear distinction from other painters in her sphere, due to the focus on deeply personal topics, specifically her gender and sexuality. Marcus explained how this complicated Laurencin's work, giving her more obstacles and more opportunities congruently.
"This is a burden, but also a power," said Marcus. "I mean, she had to deal with the weight of misogyny in her profession, but she also had the ability to identify with her models in a way that male painters could not do."
Despite the obstacle of sexism, Laurencin gained popularity in France during the 1920s. Marcus said he feels that her intrigue lies in the extent to which she expresses herself in her art.
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"I think rather than seeing her story, as you know, she is the pioneering first woman artist to get attention in Paris. Not the case, but she's an artist and a very talented artist who has to negotiate her relationship with a whole host of other artists and has to negotiate her relationship with her gender very publicly."
Laurencin's trademark visual style, with pale gray skin tones and delicate eyes, adds to this, coupled with her switch to painting exclusively women.
"She, by 1921, is in a more or less committed relationship with another woman," said Marcus. "So her queer identity certainly matters for the making of this work."
At a glance
The exhibit is available for viewing on the second floor of the Columbus Museum of Art until Aug. 18.
Admission to the Marie Laurencin: Sapphic Paris exhibit is included in the general-admission fee to the Columbus Museum of Art, located at 480 E. Broad St. For members, admission is free. For nonmembers, tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and free for children under the age of 4.
For more information, visit columbusmuseum.org.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: CMOA brings light to Marie Laurencin's work in new exhibit
