“The Alchemists” by artist Anselm Kiefer at the Royal Palace, Milan, February 2026 (Roberto Serra/ Getty)
Milan’s Royal Palace is currently hosting a compelling exhibition by German artist Anselm Kiefer, titled “The Female Alchemists.” The exhibition, which opened on Saturday, will run through September 27, as part of the cultural program accompanying the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The choice of the “Sala delle Cariatidi” hall is integral to the exhibition itself, with its walls and statues bearing the scars of bombing raids from 1943. The hall serves as a memorial to World War II and previously hosted Picasso’s “Guernica” in 1953, as a message against war. Kiefer’s exhibition features 42 works, each approximately six meters high, arranged along a winding path through the hall, facing mirrors of the same size.
The exhibition spotlights 38 women pioneers of pre-scientific knowledge in the fields of chemistry, and medicine. Kiefer presents the project as a recognition of women’s contributions to the scientific industries, portraying them as “forgotten-knowns” and acknowledging their role in the beginnings of modern scientific thought. The works feature figures like Isabella Cortesi, Sophie Brahe, and Martine de Berthelot, as well as Maria the Jewess, a chemist and physicist who lived in Alexandria between the first and third centuries AD, considered one of the founders of chemistry and credited with inventing distillation apparatus. Other names featured include Marie Meurdrac, Marie Anne Atwood, and Rebecca von. Their work spanned fields like perfumery, mining, prospecting, and household remedies, representing diverse eras and civilizations, and also includes Caterina Sforza, a prominent Renaissance figure.
The female figures appear in the works in full form, surrounded by plants and books, within layers of color combining blue and green, with touches of gold and silver. Kiefer utilizes materials like lead, straw, and oxidized metals. This exhibition is part of Kiefer’s ongoing exploration and legacy as one of Germany’s most important post-war artists, known for his work that engages with history, memory, and collective trauma. The exhibition promises to be a significant cultural event leading into the 2026 Winter Olympics, highlighting the intersection of art and historical reflection.
