Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, is currently hosting "Everyday Elegance: Western Modern Cosmetic Sets." The exhibition focuses on Western cosmetic tools from the 19th to 20th centuries, tracing the evolution of their beauty and functionality.
The exhibition features cosmetic sets from various eras selected from the Pola Museum of Art's collection, including powder boxes, manicure sets, perfume bottles, mirrors, and brushes—items that combine decorative and practical qualities. Visitors can experience the aesthetic sensibilities of each period, from the graceful and ornate Art Nouveau-style cosmetic sets that were popular during the Belle Époque of the late 19th to early 20th century, to the functional Art Deco-style portable cosmetic sets and compacts that emerged in the early 20th century.
Additionally, from the 19th to 20th centuries, the development of transportation methods such as railways and automobiles led to leisure activities in the suburbs and travel becoming established in people's lives. The exhibition also explores the influence these societal changes had on cosmetic culture.
The exhibition also features paintings of women by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Fernand Léger, artists active during the same period. Through this exhibition, we hope visitors will gain insight into the era, society, and the sensibilities and lifestyles of people behind these cosmetic tools.
Exhibition Overview
"Everyday Elegance: Western Modern Cosmetic Sets"
Period: Saturday, December 13, 2025 to Sunday, May 31, 2026 (Open throughout the period)
Venue: Pola Museum of Art, Exhibition Room 4
Special Exhibition Website: https://www.polamuseum.or.jp/exhibition/20251213c03/
Concurrent Exhibition
"SPRING: Rising Heartbeat"
Period: Saturday, December 13, 2025 to Sunday, May 31, 2026 (Open throughout the period)
Venue: Pola Museum of Art, Exhibition Rooms 1, 2, 3
Special Exhibition Website: https://www.polamuseum.or.jp/sp/spring_rising/
About Pola Museum of Art
Opened in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture in 2002 with the concept of "Harmony between Hakone's Nature and Art." The museum holds exhibitions centered on a collection of Western paintings from the Impressionist era to the 20th century, while also collecting and exhibiting works by contemporary artists active at the forefront of modern art, expanding its perspective to contemporary expression. The forest walking path takes advantage of its location in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, where visitors can enjoy the rich nature of each season.
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Admission until 4:30 PM)
Closed: Open throughout the exhibition period
Location: 1285 Kozukayama, Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
TEL: 0460-84-2111
Admission: Adults ¥2,200 / University & High School Students ¥1,700 / Junior High School Students and younger Free / Holders of disability certificates and one accompanying person ¥1,100 *All prices include tax, group discounts available
Official Website: https://www.polamuseum.or.jp/
