Glitterati

Portraits & Jewelry from Colonial Latin America
December 7, 2014 – November 19, 2017

During the Spanish Colonial period in Latin America (1521–1850), precious gold and silver were crafted into elegant jewelry then embellished with emeralds from Colombia, coral from Mexico, and pearls from Venezuela. Wanting to demonstrate their wealth and status, people were painted wearing their finest dress and elaborate jewelry.

Women were adorned with tiaras, necklaces with pendants, and prominent earrings. Men proudly displayed hat ornaments, rings, watch fobs, and chatelaines (decorative belt hooks) with small tools similar to the modern Swiss Army knife. Priests wore gold crucifixes and rosaries while nuns had miniature paintings of the Virgin Mary and saints crafted into brooches, called nun’s badges. Inlaid and lacquered chests and boxes were used to store these luxury goods.

The portraits, furniture, and jewelry that are exhibited in Glitterati, drawn from the DAM’s world-renowned Spanish Colonial collection, tell the fascinating story of people and luxury possessions in the New World.

A Companion Guide to the exhibition is available in The Shop and online.

Share your visit online using #
–
North Building - Level 4
Included in general admission

Cross finial, Colombia or Ecuador, circa 1600. Gold, emeralds, pearls. Denver Art Museum, Gift of the Stapleton Foundation of Latin American Colonial Art made possible by the Renchard family; 1990.526.

Diego de Borgraf, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Mexico, 1656. Oil on canvas. Denver Art Museum, Gift of Frederick and Jan Mayer; 2011.426.

Young Woman with a Harpsichord, Mexico, 1735-1750. Oil on canvas. Denver Art Museum, Collection of Frederick and Jan Mayer; 3.2007.

Tiara, Colombia or Ecuador, circa 1690. Silver gilt, emeralds, pearls. Denver Art Museum, Gift of Robert J. Stroessner; 1992.74

Glitterati: Portraits & Jewelry from Colonial Latin America is organized by the Denver Art Museum. Support is provided by the generous donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine, CBS4, Comcast Spotlight, and The Denver Post.