Tender Buttons

Gertrude Stein has magnified the poetry of everyday objects; today, the Musée Ariana is transforming this legacy into a striking visual experience. More than 300 buttons, often relegated to their simple functionality, assert themselves here as works of art in their own right. These exceptional pieces dialogue with the museum’s ceramic and glass collections, tracing an unsuspected social and aesthetic history. From decorative embellishment to working buttons, each element becomes a micro-sculpture charged with meaning. This rare collection, presented from September 19, 2025 to October 4, 2026, offers a fresh perspective on what seems ordinary to us. It is a unique opportunity to capture the eloquence of the infinitely small through centuries of craftsmanship and technical innovation.