Under the spell of GOLD in Leiden
Last chance, through October 26, 2025. At Wereldmuseum Leiden, discover the fascinating role of gold throughout time and culture. This exhibition reveals the spiritual and material allure of gold and lets you experience how this material can dazzle, connect, and divide. From historical objects in our rich collection to contemporary artworks and props – together they provide a multifaceted picture of the enduring value and significance of gold, both for the past and the future. A timely exhibition, now that the price of gold is so high!
In the grip of gold
Gold is universally the symbol of prosperity, power, divinity, and spirituality. But this medal has a flip side. Worldwide, this precious metal has aroused an unquenchable thirst, a desire that has built and destroyed nations, enriched and robbed people, and changed the course of history. Under the Spell of GOLD tells the broader story. With more than 436 objects, ranging from historical artifacts to contemporary artworks by 19 artists from 10 different countries worldwide, the exhibition explores the duality of gold: how it both connects and blinds, and how it sows both admiration and division.
A fascinating storyline in seven themes
The exhibition begins in the cosmos, where visitors witness the birth of gold through the collision of neutron stars.
The first theme,Infinite Gold' highlights the special properties that make gold the most coveted material in the world. Through interactive displays and audiovisual effects, visitors experience how gold was formed and the extraordinary forms it takes, from gold ore to microchips.
In the theme 'gold mineThe dark sides of gold mining are shown. Visitors walk through a dark corridor where the harsh reality of gold mining is highlighted through animated films by William Kentridge and powerful photographs by Sebastião Salgado. This theme explores not only where and how gold is mined, but also the innovative possibilities for mining gold in the future, such as urban mining and gold mining from asteroids in space.
'Great Gold' takes visitors to a wondrous treasure chamber filled with golden objects belonging to kings, emperors, and religious leaders. Here, golden crowns, thrones, and jewels are displayed, as well as divine altars and offerings that emphasize the spiritual and political power of gold.
This crown, used for the inauguration of King William I in 1815, is the first royal crown of the Netherlands and thus marks the beginning of a new tradition. An inauguration, and therefore not a coronation, means that the crown is never worn on the head. The crown symbolizes the self-determination of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and represents the dignity of the head of state. This explains the simple design. This crown has been depicted a few more times in portraits of members of the royal family. In 'Gold shineVisitors are surrounded by the glamour and allure of gold, where status, beauty, and popularity take center stage. From jewelry and fashion accessories to trophies and awards, this theme explores the appeal of gold in popular culture and shows how gold elevates our status.
The theme 'Gold price' delves deeper into the economic value of gold. In an impressive space with a businesslike atmosphere, visitors discover how gold has been used as a means of payment throughout the centuries, and the influences of current fluctuating gold prices are highlighted. These first chapters serve as a prelude to the core of the exhibition: the beautiful objects, the majority of which come from the Wereldmuseum's own collection.
'Popular Gold' explores the material and immaterial significance of gold, from the world of alchemy to the spiritual power of the precious metal. The youngest visitors can step into the world of early alchemists here, who searched in vain for a formula to make gold.
The exhibition ends with 'Immortal Gold', in which the role of gold in the afterlife is explored. This space, focusing on the spiritual value of gold, accommodates the death masks of Marina Abramovic and the performance and installation by James Lee Byars; The Death of James Lee Byars (originally performed in 1994), a highlight of his oeuvre. With this final act of his life, Byars wanted to help others accept everyone's inevitable end. That installation has been reconstructed here exactly and offers visitors a reflective conclusion to the exhibition with a profound view of death as a process of transformation and gold as spiritual wealth.
Source used: Press release World Museum Leiden.
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