Fabergé Eggs
When I saw the VMFA Faberge Egg Exhibition for the first time, I did not think too much about the symbolism and the functionality behind each and every egg. However, this lunchtime lecture showed that a decorative item, not just a traditional painting, can provide valuable insight of why Faberge Eggs were created and for what occasion.
I knew the Faberge eggs were dedicated to Easter, but I did not realize that Easter is one of the most important holidays in the Russian Orthodox Church. Giving the Faberge Eggs to the imperial family is not only a sign for respect and sophistication, but also immensely personal and tailored for each recipient.
It was interesting that Faberge hired different craftsmen of differing skill to produce the eggs instead of himself. I can see a similar pattern, used 200 years ago, in the real world. For example, an author of a graphic novel will write the story but recruit people that specialize in: linework, coloring, translators, editors, etc to produce the final product.
After the Romanov family was murdered, the Faberge eggs lost their sentimentalism to the greedy money oriented Bolsheviks. It is interesting that there are still unknown whereabouts of the remaining 43 Faberge eggs scattered across the world
There is so much Russian history to unpack in just a singular Faberge Egg which can take years to understand the symbolism and the people associated with them. This lecture only skimmed the surface of the meaning of Faberge Eggs but it allowed me to connect information from my global class to a more personal art experience.