A Gilded Medium

The Use of Gold In Art Across the Ages

Gold powder

Photo: AI Generated

Have you ever wondered why gold, that glimmering, radiant metal, has captivated artists for millennia? What is it about this lustrous material that steals our attention away, that whispers secrets of power, divinity, and timeless beauty? Imagine walking through a gallery, each piece adorned with the same ethereal sheen that once illuminated the tombs of pharaohs, the altars of cathedrals, and the canvases of masters. In honor of the exhibition by Nina Khemchyan, ECHO OF VENICE, which includes several pieces in which gold is a key element, we are dedicating this week’s article to examining the metal’s captivating allure, and offer a brief overview of some of its highlighted uses across cultures and epochs.

Gold, with its unparalleled gleam, has enchanted artists for millennia, adorning everything from pharaohs' masks to contemporary sculptures. This precious metal has not only symbolized wealth and divinity but has also captured the essence of human beauty and power across ages. Join us as we delve into the luminous journey of gold in art, culminating in NINA Khemchyan's mesmerizing "ECHO OF VENICE," where gold's legacy continues to shine brilliantly.

Divine light in ancient civilizations

Across the annals of ancient civilizations, from the banks of the Nile to the shores of Mesopotamia, gold emerged as a transcendent medium in the artistic and cultural expressions of humanity. In Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, gold adorned the regalia of kings and queens, symbolizing their divine mandate and authority. In the Aegean world, the Minoans and Mycenaeans of ancient Greece fashioned exquisite jewelry and ceremonial objects from gold, reflecting their sophisticated artistic sensibilities and religious practices. The "Mask of Agamemnon," discovered at Mycenae, exemplifies this mastery, its golden countenance evoking both reverence and mystery. Moving westward, the Etruscans of ancient Italy crafted elaborate gold jewelry and funerary objects, showcasing their skill in working with this precious metal to adorn both the living and the deceased. In the Americas, the civilizations of Central and South America, such as the Moche and the Inca, revered gold not only for its material richness but also for its spiritual and ceremonial significance, using it to fashion intricate masks and ornaments imbued with religious symbolism. Finally, in ancient Egypt, gold reached its pinnacle as an artistic medium, adorning temples, statues, and the iconic funerary masks of pharaohs like Tutankhamun, where its radiant presence symbolized the eternal cycle of life and death in the Nile Valley's cosmic order. Across these ancient cultures, the use of gold in art transcended mere adornment, serving as a conduit for spiritual beliefs.

Funeral mask known as the “Agamemnon Mask” found in Tomb V in Mycenae, ca. 1550-1500 BC. Burial mask of King Tutankhamun on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, ca. 1323 BC.
Photo: Mark Fischer and DieBuche

The radiance of Byzantine mosaics

In Byzantine art, the use of gold transcended mere decoration to embody spiritual transcendence and divine radiance. Mosaics, with their shimmering tesserae and gleaming gold backgrounds, adorned the interiors of churches and palaces, transforming architectural spaces into celestial realms. The use of gold in mosaics began with Roman mosaics starting in the 1st century AD, where gold leaf was usually employed. One of the most celebrated examples is the mosaic of Emperor Justinian I at the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. Completed around 547 AD, this mosaic depicts Justinian clad in imperial robes, flanked by clergy and attendants, offering gifts to Christ. The use of gold in this mosaic not only enhances the figures' aura of authority and divinity but also symbolizes heavenly light illuminating the earthly realm. Not unlike the use of gold in other civilizations, such as the Egyptians, here gold is representing divinity, only now it is through the lens of the Christian religion. Beyond San Vitale, the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) exemplifies Byzantine mastery in mosaic artistry, where golden tesserae shimmer across the dome, creating an ethereal atmosphere that transports worshippers to a celestial realm. The Byzantines believed that the radiance of gold in mosaics reflected the divine light of God, transcending earthly materials to convey spiritual truths and eternal glory. Thus, in Byzantine art, gold in mosaics served not only as a display of imperial power but also as a way of honoring the supernatural, transforming architectural spaces into sacred sites of transcendent beauty and spiritual revelation.

Court of Emperor Justinian and Court of Empress Theodora, ca. 547
Photo: Adams, Laurie Schneider (2011) and Petar Milošević

Gleaming Treasures of Medieval Art

In medieval European art, gold served as a profound symbol of both earthly sovereignty and spiritual reverence, permeating various forms of artistic expression with its luminous presence. Royal crowns and regalia, such as the Crown of Saint Wenceslas crafted in the 14th century, embodied the divine right of kings, adorned with intricate goldwork that conveyed their ordained authority and elevated status. Sculptures, such as the gilded bronze bust of Charlemagne from the 9th century, exemplified the era's penchant for depicting imperial majesty through meticulous gilding techniques, transforming simple metal into a representation of regal splendor. Within religious art, gold leaf embellished manuscripts like the Lindisfarne Gospels and illuminated the pages of sacred texts with shimmering backgrounds and intricate designs, elevating the spiritual significance of these manuscripts within medieval monastic and ecclesiastical communities. Sculptural masterpieces, such as the Golden Madonna of Essen in Germany, utilized gold leaf to imbue wooden icons with a rather ethereal radiance, making them focal points of veneration in medieval churches. In painting, the application of gold leaf to depict halos around saints and angels in altarpieces by artists like Giotto and Duccio further heightened their spiritual aura, emphasizing their divine connection and celestial presence, inspired in part by the Byzantine use of gold but in a more experimental fashion. Duccio’s “Madonna and Child” is a fabulous example of this innovation in the softer depiction of figures. Across these diverse mediums, from royal courts to religious sanctuaries, gold in medieval European art transcended mere materiality, becoming a transformative element that symbolized both temporal power and spiritual transcendence, enriching the cultural and artistic heritage of the Middle Ages.

Duccio di Buoninsegna, Madonna and Child, ca. 1300 and Bust of Charlemagne, ca. 1350
Photo: Sailko and Florian B. Gutsch

Shining Splendor in Renaissance Art

In Renaissance art, gold retained its timeless symbolism as a material representing divine radiance and spiritual transcendence, a tradition that persisted from earlier periods, but was refined and elevated by Renaissance artists. Artists such as Fra Angelico exemplified this tradition through their meticulous use of gold leaf in masterpieces like "The Annunciation," housed in the Prado Museum. Here, gold adorns the stars in the heavenly sky and the ethereal wings of the angel, transforming these elements into symbols of celestial light and divine presence. This technique not only enhanced the luminosity of the painting but also imbued it with a heightened sense of sacredness and awe.However, gold in the Renaissance was not confined to religious imagery alone. While it was prominently used in religious paintings and altarpieces to emphasize the spiritual aura of saints and angels, Renaissance artists also employed gold in portraits of nobility and aristocracy. Paintings by artists such as Titian and Hans Holbein the Younger featured opulent costumes and backgrounds adorned with gold leaf or thread, symbolizing the sitter's wealth, status, and sophistication. Moreover, Renaissance goldsmiths crafted intricate jewelry, ornamental objects, and gilded furniture, showcasing their technical skill and artistic ingenuity. These luxurious items adorned palaces, courts, and affluent households, serving as symbols of prestige and luxury.

Fra Angelico, The Annunciation, 1426
Photo: Marcos Amigo

Baroque’s Gilded Glory

In Baroque art, gold transcended its traditional roles and became a hallmark of grandeur, opulence, and theatricality. The period, which incidentally was marked by a renewed interest in theatricality and dramatism, spanned the 17th and early 18th centuries, and saw an unprecedented use of gold in both religious and secular contexts. In churches, gold leaf adorned altarpieces, sculptures, and architectural details, transforming sacred spaces into awe-inspiring realms of divine splendor. This can be seen in Gian Lorenzo Bernini's sculptural masterpiece, the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, located in Rome's Cornaro Chapel, where the golden rays of light symbolize the divine presence descending upon the saint. Beyond religious settings, gold was equally prominent in the palaces and residences of European monarchs and nobility. The Palace of Versailles, under the patronage of Louis XIV, exemplifies this extravagance with its Hall of Mirrors, where gilded stucco, gold leaf accents, and elaborate gold furnishings reflected the king's absolute power and divine right to rule. Louis XIV, famously known as the Sun King, strategically used gold to promote and showcase his authority and power, associating himself with the splendor of the sun's radiance and making Versailles a symbol of his dominion over France and Europe. The integration of gold into Baroque art not only heightened its visual impact but also reinforced the period's emphasis on dramatic expression, emotional intensity, and the glorification of earthly and celestial realms alike.

Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles
Photo: Myrabella

The Master of Gold

In modern art, particularly in Gustav Klimt's works during his Golden Period in the early 20th century, gold underwent a significant transformation where its symbolism diverged from its traditional association with religious fervor. Klimt's innovative use of gold leaf and gold paint in artworks such as "The Kiss" and "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I" elevated the material beyond its previous religious connotations. While gold had historically been employed in religious art to denote divine radiance and transcendence, in Klimt's hands, it became a symbol of human intimacy, emotional richness, and aesthetic refinement. The shimmering gold backgrounds and intricate patterns in his paintings did not signify celestial realms or spiritual enlightenment alone but also represented earthly beauty and sensual pleasure. Klimt's success and recognition allowed him to work with more expensive materials and push the boundaries of what was possible. In part due to him, the departure from religious contexts allowed gold to take on new meanings associated with human relationships, artistic expression, and the pursuit of beauty in its various forms. By dissociating gold from its exclusively religious symbolism, Klimt contributed to its redefinition in modern art as a versatile symbol of both material luxury and profound emotional depth, thereby expanding its artistic possibilities beyond traditional boundaries.

Gustav Klimt, The Kiss, 1907-1908
Photo: Google Art Project

Nina’s Golden Touches

For Nina Khemchyan, a French artist of Armenian origin, the use of gold in her artistic production represents a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary innovation, encapsulating her Armenian heritage and her inspirations from the luminous beauty of Venice. For over 30 years, she has crafted spheres from chamotte clay, inscribing them with motifs that merge her Armenian cultural roots with contemporary and current inspirations. Her use of gold in these works transcends mere decoration, imbuing the sculptures with a luminous quality that evokes peace, joy, and a deeper connection to the beauty of human experience. In her latest exhibition at the Galerie de Buci, ECHO OF VENICE, gold plays a central role, echoing the shimmering reflections of Murano chandeliers in the mirrors of Grand Canal palaces. This collection, inspired by her multimedia installation "Echo" at the 60th Venice Biennale, showcases gold as both a material and a symbol, transforming her sculptures into sources of endless fascination and meditation. In Paris, the exhibition extends this theme with sculptures that evoke the serene beauty of Venetian waters, combining blue hues with gold and ochre. One piece in particular, the Lion de Venise, depicts the city’s symbol —St. Mark’s winged lion— in striking gilded fashion, with over 60 grams of gold covering the surface. These pieces invite viewers to reflect on distant travels, love, and cherished memories, while the gold elements symbolize the timeless quest for spiritual and artistic perfection. Khemchyan’s golden sphere, the final touch in her "Seven Deadly Sins" installation, signifies human striving for perfection and serves as a new starting point for contemplation.

Nina Khemchyan, Lion de Venise and Sharakan, 2024
Photo: Curtsey of the Galerie de Buci

From the ancient tombs of pharaohs to the gilded halls of Baroque palaces, gold has been a timeless beacon of beauty, power, and divinity. This precious metal, ever captivating, continues to inspire and transform artistic expression. As we reflect on its enduring legacy, we see that gold in art is not merely about opulence but about capturing the very essence of human aspiration and transcendence. Come to the Galerie de Buci before August 15th to see for yourself the use of gold in contemporary art, in some of Nina’s amazing sculptures and allow yourself to be mesmerized by the wonderful reflections of the Venice-inspired collection.