Solid Gold Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum is a Dazzling Experience

Installation view of the Solid Gold exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. Photo: Paula Abreu Pita/Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn Museum’s Solid Gold exhibition is a mesmerizing must-see tribute to the world’s most precious metal.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

NEW YORK, NY— In celebration of its 200th anniversary, the Brooklyn Museum is hosting Solid Gold, a stunning exhibition that examines the rich history and cultural significance of gold. This immersive showcase brings together over 500 works of art, fashion, jewelry, and design from across the globe. Solid Gold is a tribute to one of the world’s most enduringly precious metals. The exhibition explores its role as a symbol of wealth, power, beauty, and artistry throughout human history.

Gold has fascinated civilizations for over 6,000 years, from the tombs of ancient Egypt to the catwalks of contemporary fashion. The Solid Gold exhibition traces this enduring legacy, featuring historical and modern pieces that highlight the material’s enduring influence. Curated by Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture at the Brooklyn Museum, the exhibition takes visitors on a visual journey through the metal’s cultural impact, spanning ancient civilizations to modern-day couture.

Solid Gold Exhibition Examines Gold’s Role in Ancient Cultures

One of the most compelling features of Solid Gold is its exploration of gold’s role in ancient cultures. Visitors will encounter rare artifacts such as a sarcophagus lid from Egypt’s Bubastite Dynasty (945–740 BCE), which is appearing in public for the first time in over a century. This piece, intricately decorated with gold-like pigments, highlights how gold was used both as a luxury material and a symbol of the divine and eternal.

Additionally, the exhibition features gold wreaths from ancient Greece, often used to crown athletic victors and notable guests at banquets. The gold funerary wreath on display dates back to the 3rd–2nd century BCE. It showcases intricate craftsmanship that has survived millennia, emphasizing gold’s dual function as both a token of achievement and an emblem of immortality.

The Allure of Gold in Fashion and Jewelry

In addition to ancient artifacts, Solid Gold examines the continuous presence of gold in fashion and design, with a particular focus on its role in luxury fashion and jewelry. The exhibition brings together stunning works from legendary designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Anna Sui, and Balenciaga, alongside iconic pieces from fashion history.

Important highlights include a prototype necklace designed for Elizabeth Taylor’s role in the 1963 film Cleopatra. Another is a gold-tone chainmail dress by Azzedine Alaïa (1989), originally worn by Tina Turner. It exemplifies gold’s modern application in haute couture. The Blonds’ Egypt Meets Disco collection (2016), showcasing gold as both an artistic and cultural statement, is another major attraction.

In addition to these couture pieces, the exhibition also celebrates the craftsmanship of iconic jewelers such as Cartier, Verdura, and Alexander Calder, whose pieces elevate gold to the level of fine art. Visitors will also find modern grillz by Gabby Elan, showcasing gold’s continued role in personal adornment and cultural expression.

Contemporary Interpretations of Gold: Edgy and Avant-Garde

Solid Gold also explores gold’s presence in more contemporary contexts, particularly in hip-hop culture, where gold chains and Cuban link jewelry became symbols of success and status. These modern gold accessories reflect the ongoing reinvention of the material’s meaning, from urban fashion statements to high-end luxury designs.

The exhibition also showcases bold fashion creations by Demna, the creative force behind Balenciaga. Demna’s avant-garde use of gold reflects a fusion of historical references and cutting-edge fashion.

The Environmental Cost of Gold: A Thoughtful Reflection

While gold has long been a symbol of prestige, the exhibition does not shy away from addressing the environmental and human costs of its extraction. Solid Gold offers a critical examination of the mining processes that have caused significant ecological damage. From the gold mines in South Africa to the Amazon and Colombia, the consequences have been deadly. William Kentridge’s 1991 film Mine highlights the profound impact of gold mining. It provides a sobering counterpoint to the exhibition’s otherwise dazzling displays.

Solid Gold: A Global Cultural Journey

Organized into eight thematic sections, Solid Gold presents a dynamic contrast between historical and contemporary works. These pairings allow visitors to see how gold’s meaning has evolved while maintaining a consistent thread of artistic and cultural importance.

Key sections of the exhibition include Ancient and Classical Gold: Artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, including ancient gold jewelry and coins. Gold in the Arts: Highlights from fashion, design, and film, illustrating the material’s ongoing appeal in the creative industries. Gold’s Global Impact: An examination of how gold has shaped societies around the world, from the ancient Americas to modern Europe.

Solid Gold Exhibition for Lovers of Art, Fashion, and History

Solid Gold is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in art, fashion, history, and the environmental impacts of gold. Whether you’re a seasoned art lover, a fashion enthusiast, or someone intrigued by the complex story behind this precious metal, Solid Gold offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking look at gold’s place in human history.

The Brooklyn Museum’s Solid Gold exhibition runs through July 6, 2025, at the Brooklyn Museum, Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing, 5th Floor.