Lecture

Serene and Resplendent: Asian Gold at the Norton Simon Museum

Emma Natalya Stein

Associate Curator of Southeast Asian and South Asian Art, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian

Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, CA

Saturday, January 10, 2026, 5:00-6:00 pm

Gilt, pressed, painted or cast, gold has expressed power, prosperity, purity and transcendence throughout the history of Asian art. From gilt-bronze sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities to courtly paintings and items of personal adornment, gold has enjoyed a range of uses and enduring significance, from China to Nepal. In this richly illustrated talk, Stein delves into the Asian works on view in the exhibition Gold: Enduring Power, Sacred Craft and discovers more gold in the Museum’s South and Southeast Asian collections.

Advance tickets for members are available using the link below.
Tickets for all guests will be available for walkups on the day of the lecture starting at 4:00 p.m.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.nortonsimon.org/calendar/2026/winter-2026/Serene-and-Resplendent-Asian-Gold-at-the-Norton-Simon-Museum-1-10-2026-500pm