Video call
Talk to expert
Diamonds – symbols of luxury, purity and eternity – have long been a source of inspiration for artists and have been used in art not only as decorative elements, but also as conceptual images. Let’s take a look at the most significant artworks and installations in which diamonds play a key role.
Salvador Dalí – Jewelry (1941-1970)
Salvador Dalí, known for his surrealist paintings, also created jewelry that made extensive use of diamonds.
A famous piece is The Royal Heart, made of gold, rubies and diamonds. The heart literally “beats” thanks to a mechanical mechanism.
Idea: Dali’s jewelry explores the connection between art, passion and vitality. The use of diamonds emphasizes luxury and the illusion of eternal life.
Influence: Dalí jewelry is on display in museums and private collections, highlighting the boundary between jewelry and high art.
Takashi Murakami – Diamond Series
Acclaimed contemporary artist Takeshi Murakami uses diamonds as a metaphor to explore mass culture and pop art.
Murakami has collaborated with Hublot to produce a unique watch with over 500 black diamonds in 2022
Idea: Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black was one of Murakami’s most iconic artistic elements – the so-called “smiling daisy”. Thanks to an original system developed by Hublot’s craftsmen, the flower petals came to life and began to rotate.
Jewelry installations and sculptures made of Swarovski crystals
Although Swarovski crystals are not real diamonds, they are actively used in art installations.
Artists: Swarovski collaborates with contemporary artists such as Ron Arad and Zaha Hadid to create unique art objects.
Example: Installations with thousands of crystals that create optical effects reminiscent of the sparkle of diamonds.
Idea: The sparkle and visual effects of crystals raise questions about the value of fakes and originals, the illusion of luxury and the accessibility of beauty.
Symbolism of diamonds in art
- Eternity and immortality
Diamonds are associated with the idea of eternity, as reflected in the works of Hirst and Dalí.
- Value and luxury
Diamonds represent material wealth and social status, as explored by Sherman and Murakami.
- Illusion and deception
Swarovski crystals and Koons’ glossy surfaces raise questions about authenticity and fakery.
- Death and mortality
Hirst’s skull and many of McQueen’s works emphasize the contrast between the physical value of diamonds and the frailty of human life.
Conclusion
Diamonds in art are not only a material element, but also a symbolic image filled with philosophical and social meanings. From Hirst’s skull to Koons’ shining sculptures, diamonds embody ideas of eternity, luxury, illusion and death. Artists use their brilliance and symbolism to conceptualize the nature of value and human life. These works raise the question: what makes an object valuable – its material value or the idea behind it?
Back