In Truth? The Art of Doubt, scientists and artists explore how we determine what is true. In an age of disinformation, fake news and artificial intelligence, that question is more urgent than ever.
When you leave this exhibition, you’ll know exactly what truth really is. Or… will you?
People long for certainty. Truth makes the world feel clear and predictable. But the search for truth begins with doubt. Scientists use research to get as close to facts as possible. They develop methods to test reliability: from sources to data, from institutions to our own memory. Artists, on the other hand, reveal how thin the line can be between persuasive and true, between evidence and emotion. Together, they pose the same sharp question: what is truth – and why do we value it so highly?
The exhibition guides you through four different perspectives:
Truth Tellers
Who do we trust? And why? How do people demonstrate credibility?
Beacons of Truth
Institutions, science, facts. What provides stability – and when does that foundation begin to shift?
Blurred Truth
Lies, prejudice, disinformation and the fragility of our memory.
Searching for Truth
When do you know enough? Can truth be found in fiction?
And is it always better to know the truth?
The exhibition presents a rich mix of scientific objects and artworks. With no fewer than 27 artworks, this is the most art-driven exhibition in the history of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave.
On display are objects from the museum’s own collection, complemented by special loans from, among others:
- GUM (Gents Universiteitsmuseum & Plantentuin)
- Teylers Museum
- Universiteitsmuseum Utrecht
Each object tells a story. Sometimes it leads you astray. Sometimes it confirms what you thought you knew. Sometimes it reveals how fragile “facts” can be.
Truth? The Art of Doubt is based on the exhibition concept developed by GUM (Gents Universiteitsmuseum & Plantentuin), where it was presented in 2024/2025 under the title Wonderkamer van de waarheid.
Rijksmuseum Boerhaave has expanded the concept with new stories and objects from its own collection, as well as additional loans.