Gold: Celebrating 50 Years of Beauty at Hillwood

Gold: Celebrating 50 Years of Beauty at Hillwood marks the institution’s 50th anniversary as a public museum—often called the golden anniversary—by exploring the complicated and captivating history of gold as both a material and a color. The exhibition draws from Hillwood’s world-class collection to highlight some of its most iconic works, ranging from 18th-century gilded decorative arts to contemporary pieces. Visitors will discover objects crafted by jewelers, goldsmiths, artists, and artisans across centuries, including precious boxes, watches, gilded furniture, objets d’art, jewelry, fashion accessories, sacred objects, coins, medals, and presentation pieces. The show also juxtaposes historic works with contemporary art, featuring pieces by Alfredo Jaar, Tawny Chatmon, Fabiola Jean-Louis, and other contemporary artists displayed both in the exhibition and throughout the mansion.

When: February 13 through June 13, 2027.

Tickets: Price not available; check Hillwood’s website for ticket information.

Lineup: Featured contemporary artists include Alfredo Jaar, Tawny Chatmon, Fabiola Jean-Louis, and more.

Venue: Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, D.C.

Note: The exhibition is organized into thematic sections, including “The Substance of Gold,” which covers gold’s cosmic origins, human harvest from riverbeds and mines as early as 4,000 BCE, its chemical stability and malleability, and its complex associations with power, religion, exploitation, and violence. “Gold On View” traces how Marjorie Merriweather Post—Hillwood’s founder—collected finely crafted gold objects, and how her holdings demonstrate a variety of gold techniques and qualities. The show also includes sacred objects highlighting religious symbolism and items emblematic of wealth and authority.