The Power of Gold

The Brooklyn Museum's "Solid Gold" exhibition showcases gold's use in fine art from ancient to contemporary pieces, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.

A gold plaque from the ancient Coclé culture depicts a crocodile deity, demonstrating gold's versatility as a decorative and functional material.

William Kentridge's short film "Mine" reflects on the environmental and human costs of South Africa's gold industry, a complex side of gold's impact.

The exhibition also explores 20th-century artists inspired by gold, including Agnes Martin's gold-leaf-covered canvas with her signature Minimalist grids.

Alexander Calder's jewellery designs feature gold, creating elegant and sophisticated pieces for fashion and jewellery design.

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Sargent and Paris exhibition celebrates John Singer Sargent's work and offers a fresh perspective on the infamous painting "Madame X".

The exhibition also explores Jewish art and culture, with the Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt, highlighting the cross-cultural resonance of the biblical tale.

The Morgan Library & Museum is marking its centennial with a major gift showcase exhibition, featuring over 100 works pledged as donations.

The show highlights the institution's broadening collecting scope over the past century and includes rare items from 16th-century Vatican Bindery.

Gold's enduring appeal lies in its versatility and significance in human culture and creativity, evident in exhibitions and artworks from around the world.