On September 19th and 20th, 2026, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts participates in the European Heritage Days for the second time with an exclusive program at the permanent address Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau in Paris.
Participants embark on an hour-long immersive exploration of light—a theme dear to Daniel Brush, whose works are currently featured in the exhibition “Daniel Brush, the Art of Line and Light”—to examine how light reveals the different facets of precious stones and how the human eye perceives color.
In continuity with the theme of the 2026 edition of the European Heritage Days “The Heritage of Photography”, L’ÉCOLE also holds an Encounter of L’Escarboucle on the genesis of the publication “Daniel Brush, The Art of Line and Light” and the ways in which photography contributes to highlighting the artist’s works.
Built in 1778, Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau is one of Paris’s oldest private mansions still standing on the Grands Boulevards. A designated historical monument, it was named after its first occupant, Florimond-Claude, Count of Mercy-Argenteau, an influential figure who served as ambassador to the royal court under Maria Theresa of Austria.
Since June 2024, Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau has housed the full range of activities of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts: introductory courses, talks and exhibitions, as well as L’ÉCOLE’s library and its bookshop L’Escarboucle, both specialized in jewelry-related topics.
The guided tour embarks visitors on an immersive journey into the world of jewelry as they explore the spaces of Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau and encounter L’ÉCOLE’s experts in a singular experience, light serving as a common theme throughout.
Presentation of the Cabinet of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
For the very first time, a selection of objects from the Cabinet of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is on display, their unique features enhanced by light. An educational resource, the Cabinet brings together a selection of jewels, gems, ancient objects and tools that is used to explore the history of jewelry, materials and age-old savoir-faire.
Jeweler’s Demonstration
For the very first time, a selection of objects from the Cabinet of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is on display, their unique features enhanced by light. An educational resource, the Cabinet brings together a selection of jewels, gems, ancient objects and tools that is used to explore the history of jewelry, materials and age-old savoir-faire.
The tour includes a demonstration of metalwork techniques—mirror polishing in particular—led by a jeweler. Participants discover how this technique metamorphoses the surface of a metal, allowing it to capture and reflect light.
Gemologist’s Demonstration
Guided by a gemologist, participants observe rough stones to understand how light reacts to different surfaces and how this impacts the stone-cutting process.
Tour of the Library of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
L’ÉCOLE’s library houses some 7,000 works (ancient books, exhibition catalogues, auction catalogues, academic theses, specialized magazines and journals, etc.). Generally accessible by appointment, the library opens its doors to the public for the European Heritage Days.
Visit of the Exhibition “Daniel Brush, the Art of Line and Light”
The program concludes with a self-guided tour of the ongoing exhibition of American artist Daniel Brush (1947-2022) featuring more than 75 of the artist’s jewels and objects, some of which leave his New York studio for the first time.
This monograph explores the work of this modern artist, sculptor, draftsman and thinker, who was also a goldsmith and jeweler. Self-taught, Daniel Brush embodied a visionary approach, free of artistic boundaries, guided by a focus on light, material and line.
Curated by his wife and collaborator, Olivia Brush, together with jewelry historian Vivienne Becker, the exhibition demonstrates how Daniel Brush was able to cross and transcend boundaries between art and jewelry.
Encounter of L’Escarboucle
Saturday, September 19th, 2026, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
In French
In continuity with the theme of the 2026 edition of the European Heritage Days “The Heritage of Photography”, an Encounter of L’Escarboucle delves into the genesis of the publication “Daniel Brush, The Art of Line and Light” and the manner in which the artist’s works are brought to life through photography.
Led by photographer Benjamin Chelly and Lætitia Gilles-Guery, gemologist and lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, this exchange explores the specificities of photographing jewelry and precious stones and the ways in which photography renders light.
L’Escarboucle, the Bookshop of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
Housed in Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, L’Escarboucle is a bookshop dedicated to the world of jewelry. Its poetic, enigmatic name derives from the Latin word carbunculus (small embers) that was once used to designate precious stones of a fiery red hue: exceptional rubies, spinels and garnets.
The bookshop carries nearly 3,000 works in French and other languages on jewelry, jewelry designers, savoir-faire, gemology, applied arts and aesthetic evolutions throughout history.
