The Spirit of Beauty was published in tandem with the exhibition of the same name, staged by French designer Patrick Jouin and presented at the Mori Museum of Tokyo late 2009 – early 2010. The history of Van Cleef & Arpels is chronicled through brooches, earrings, bracelets and necklaces of exquisite craftsmanship. Reproduced on a life scale, 240 pieces trace the evolution of forms according to four themes: The Spirit of Nature for pieces inspired by plants or animals; The Spirit of Elegance for jewelry borrowing from the realm of haute couture (bows, drapes, etc.); The Spirit of Adventure for pieces with a Japanese, Egyptian or Aztec influence; Incarnation for jewelry inspired by stars and celebrated personalities.

With an introduction by Catherine Deneuve