Gold is a material that has been associated with power and prestige for centuries, and its presence is evident in various art forms, from fine art to jewellery and design. The current exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are a testament to the enduring appeal of gold, despite its complex and often fraught history. A golden age in fine art

The exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, Solid Gold, explores the many ways in which gold has been used in fine art throughout history. The show features a wide range of works, from ancient artifacts to contemporary pieces, and highlights the role of gold in various cultural and historical contexts. Some of the standout pieces in the exhibition include a gold plaque from the ancient Coclé culture, which depicts a crocodile deity baring its teeth. This object is a beautiful example of how gold has been used not only as a decorative material but also as a functional tool in ancient cultures. Nearby, a short film by William Kentridge, Mine, reflects on the environmental and human costs of South Africa’s gold industry. This is just one example of how gold has been used as a symbol of power and status, but it also highlights the complexities and challenges that come with its use. Gold’s impact in haute couture and decorative arts is also a significant aspect of the exhibition. The artist Agnes Martin created a gold-leaf-covered canvas, featuring her signature Minimalist grids, incised using the sgraffito technique. This piece is a beautiful example of how gold has been used in fine art to create stunning and elegant works. Furthermore, the exhibition explores the work of 20th-century artists who were inspired by gold. For instance, the artist Louise Nevelson created a gold-painted assemblage that remakes the template of her wooden sculptures, exploring gold as a “staple of the world for ages”. This piece is a great example of how gold has been used as a symbol of luxury and status in modern art. The exhibition also delves into the world of fashion and jewellery design. Alexander Calder’s jewellery designs, for example, showcase the use of gold in creating elegant and sophisticated pieces. A golden age in 17th-century Dutch art

Meanwhile, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the exhibition Sargent and Paris celebrates the centenary of John Singer Sargent’s death. The show features studies of urban life and interior scenes, often of elegant women posed in studied nonchalance. One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is the portrait of Madame X, depicting the American Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau in a low-cut black gown. The painting caused an uproar at the 1884 Paris Salon, with critics scandalised by her socialite pallor and her precariously perched dress strap. However, the show also offers a fresh perspective on the painting, tracing Sargent’s process, his eclectic art-historical influences, his collaboration with Gautreau, and the ways the work was ultimately shaped by the art and people he encountered in Paris. The exhibition also delves into the world of Jewish art and culture, with the Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt at the Jewish Museum. The show brings together works by the Dutch master and his contemporaries, alongside domestic and ceremonial objects to chart the cross-cultural resonance of the biblical tale. Buoyed by a flourishing print culture, Amsterdam grew as a site of comparative religious tolerance, making Esther a key artistic inspiration for Rembrandt and his contemporaries. The show features a wide range of works, from paintings to prints, and highlights the role of Esther in 17th-century Netherlands. A golden age in museums

The Morgan Library & Museum is also marking its centennial with a major gift showcase exhibition. The show features around 100 works pledged as donations to honour the anniversary, including Medieval Books of Hours, 20th-century photography, sheet music by composers ranging from Franz Schubert to John Coltrane, and drawings by artists such as Parmigianino and Frida Kahlo. The exhibition highlights the institution’s broadening collecting scope over the past century and includes a rare 16th-century wax relief of Pope Pius V receiving the courtier Teodosio Fiorenzi. The wax composition is housed in a red goatskin-covered, book-shaped box made by the Vatican Bindery, the official workshop responsible for the papal court’s bookbinding. The show also confirms the Morgan’s esteemed standing within the contemporary art community, with promised gifts from artists such as Giuseppe Penone, Julian Schnabel, and Bridget Riley. In conclusion, the exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art offer a fascinating glimpse into the enduring appeal of gold, despite its complex and often fraught history. From fine art to fashion, jewellery, and design, gold continues to play a significant role in human culture and creativity. As we celebrate the golden age of art and culture, we are reminded that nothing can stay gold forever, but its presence and influence will endure.