The Brooklyn Museum has revealed a new exhibit that simply leaves people spellbound, and its majestic shine is a major bonus. Entitled “Solid Gold,” this display commemorates the museum’s bicentennial and exhibits more than 500 pieces of golden treasures illustrating their history and stories of glamour and brilliance.
With the flow of the exhibition, art lovers can see how this precious metal symbol has constantly evolved throughout the centuries.
A Journey Through Millennia Brooklyn Museum
The showdown “Solid Gold” is stylized to the detail to allow the hosts to give an exhaustive analysis of the use of the precious metal gold in any society and period. The exhibition is divided into eight separate categories and each provides a different view of the use of the precious metal in art and culture.
- Ancient Treasures: Visitors are greeted by a large sarcophagus lid from Egypt’s 22nd Dynasty, making its public debut after over a century in storage. Over gold the ancients knew how to triumph and this artifact reminds us about the role of this metal in rituals and ceremonies.
- Fashion’s Golden Embrace: Various collections of haute couture gowns including Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga are displayed at the exhibition. A piece that caught my attention is a golden foil dress from the Balenciaga spring 2020 collection constructed by Demna: Indeed gold and fashion are inseparable. 1
- Jewels of the Past: Among the glittering jewels on display is a rare prototype of a fly necklace made for Elizabeth Taylor to wear in the 1963 film “Cleopatra,” as well as a luxurious 1950 écharpe necklace by Cartier, made of gold, platinum, and diamonds. 2
Contemporary Highlights
Surrealist works are represented as well as pieces of art of the present day that can tell the story of gold through a modern lens. Curiously, it’s possible to equip a philosophical concept in Zadik Zadikian’s installation called “Path to Nine”, this work states the question about gold and its meaning in contemporary art, turning people’s attention to the metal’s ability to inspire and be invested.
Visitor Information
“Solid Gold” is open to the public from November 16, 2024, through July 6, 2025, at the Brooklyn Museum’s Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing and Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery on the 5th Floor. Tickets can be booked online on the official website of this museum.
Conclusion
The Brooklyn Museum’s “Solid Gold” exhibition is a must-see for art enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone captivated by the timeless allure of gold. This dazzling showcase not only celebrates the museum’s bicentennial but also offers a unique opportunity to explore humanity’s multifaceted relationship with one of the world’s most cherished metals.
For more information, visit the Brooklyn Museum’s official website: Brooklyn Museum
