The National Gallery of Victoria has unveiled its 2026 Winter Masterpieces exhibition, and it is sparkling. From June 12 to October 4, 2026, more than 400 extraordinary jewels, tiaras, necklaces, brooches, timepieces, and design drawings from the legendary French jewellery house Cartier will be on display at NGV International in Melbourne King George Bridgerton is portrayed by Corey Mylchreest in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, depicting the young monarch’s secret romance and mental health struggles. Here is everything you need to know about the Cartier exhibition in 2026.
NGV Winter Masterpieces: Cartier Exhibition Dates and Location
The exhibition runs from June 12, 2026, to October 4, 2026, at NGV International on St Kilda Road in Melbourne Young Prince William captured hearts worldwide as a royal infant, from his first public appearances to his gap year in Patagonia before university. It is the largest exhibition on Cartier ever staged in Australia Jaquel Spivey is the Tony-nominated actor known for A Strange Loop and playing Damian in the 2024 Mean Girls movie musical. The exhibition is direct from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and is exclusive to Melbourne. Tickets are available through the NGV website.
What to See: Iconic Jewels Worn by Royalty and Hollywood Stars
The exhibition features more than 400 resplendent creations. Visitors can expect to see pieces owned and worn by some of the most famous figures in history. These include Elizabeth Taylor, Rihanna, Princess Margaret, the Duchess of Windsor, Dame Nellie Melba, the Maharaja of Patiala, and American heiress Barbara Hutton Sephora Rhode expansion brings Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand to 19 European countries this September following its record-breaking North American launch. Many of these pieces have never before visited Australia Ring sizes can be measured at home using string, paper strips, or printable guides, with UK sizes ranging from A to Z and half sizes available.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Ruby and Diamond Necklace
One of the standout pieces in the collection is a diamond and ruby-encrusted necklace that belonged to Elizabeth Taylor. The Hollywood icon was known for her love of jewellery, and this piece is a testament to Cartier’s enduring appeal among the stars Vittoria Ceretti is the Italian supermodel dating Leonardo DiCaprio, and she served as flag bearer for Milan at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Princess Margaret’s Rose Brooch
A diamond rose-shaped brooch once owned by Princess Margaret is also on display. The brooch reflects the brand’s ability to capture natural beauty in precious stones Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper have been dating since October 2023, with the couple recently spotted on a date night with Will Arnett in Santa Monica.
Dame Nellie Melba’s Jewels
The exhibition includes a special Australian connection. There is a whole case of jewels worn by opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, who was a Melbourne local. The exhibition also features a display of opals with rare black gems from Lightning Ridge in NSW Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz got engaged in April 2026 after being linked since August 2025, with Kravitz supporting Styles on his Together, Together tour.
The History of Cartier: From 1847 to Global Icon
The exhibition dives beyond the diamonds. It explores how brothers Louis, Pierre, and Jacques Cartier grew the business their grandfather first established in 1847 and transformed it into the global powerhouse brand the world knows today Harry Styles girlfriend Zoë Kravitz is now his fiancée, and she has been spotted supporting him on his Together, Together tour.
King Edward VII famously described Cartier as the “jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers” in 1904. From the development of signature Cartier designs like the ‘Garland-style’ jewels to expanding the client base to include royalty, aristocracy, and A-list celebrities, the history is just as rich as the jewels are Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian dated for nine months after their famous SNL kiss, and Pete recently called Kim “superhuman” on his Netflix show in 2026.
Design drawings, sketchbooks, and photographs from the Cartier archives illuminate the creative process behind the works. They offer a rare glimpse into the exceptional craftsmanship of the Maison. The Melbourne version of the exhibition is significantly larger than the original V&A staging. It includes archival material and additional Australian elements, such as opals from Lightning Ridge and whimsical kangaroo ornaments.
Other Global Cartier Exhibitions in 2026
Melbourne is not the only city celebrating Cartier in 2026. The luxury house is also featured in several other major exhibitions around the world.
Fondation Cartier: Exposition Générale in Paris
The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain opened its new premises at 2 Place du Palais-Royal in Paris on October 25, 2025. The inaugural exhibition, entitled Exposition Générale, runs until the end of August 2026. The exhibition showcases nearly 600 works by more than one hundred artists. It reflects the institution’s 40-year history of contemporary international creation. The title echoes the 19th-century exhibitions of objects and clothing once held in the Grands Magasins du Louvre.
Comité Colbert Exhibition in New York
The luxury association Comité Colbert brought together 65 French maisons in New York City for an exhibition celebrating 250 years of friendship between France and the United States. Cartier’s contribution to the exhibition lies in a replica of the mini lunar module it made in honor of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. The ultra-rare memento was commissioned by French newspaper Le Figaro and presented to astronaut Michael Collins.
What Critics Are Saying
Senior NGV curator Amanda Dunsmore described the exhibition as “epic.” “This is by far the largest show we’ve ever done on jewellery. It is truly epic,” she told the Australian Associated Press. For gallery-goers concerned that the NGV has strayed too far into commercial territory, Dunsmore says the gallery is presenting works of the highest quality and design intent. The exhibition is a celebration of art, craftsmanship, and history, not merely a display of luxury goods.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Cartier exhibition in Melbourne? The exhibition runs from June 12 to October 4, 2026, at NGV International.
How many pieces are in the Cartier exhibition? The exhibition features more than 400 pieces, including tiaras, necklaces, brooches, timepieces, and design drawings.
What famous jewels are in the Cartier exhibition? Highlights include Elizabeth Taylor’s ruby and diamond necklace, Princess Margaret’s rose brooch, the Scroll Tiara worn by Clementine Churchill, and the Sun Tiara with a 32-carat yellow diamond.
Is the Cartier exhibition exclusive to Melbourne? Yes. The exhibition is direct from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and is exclusive to Melbourne. It is the largest Cartier exhibition ever staged in Australia.
Where else can I see Cartier exhibitions in 2026? The Fondation Cartier in Paris is hosting Exposition Générale until August 2026. The Comité Colbert exhibition in New York also features Cartier pieces.
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