Toledo Museum of Art to Host 'Cursed!' Exhibit on Ancient Magic

The exhibition will explore the power of magic in the ancient Mediterranean world through 75 rare objects.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Toledo Museum of Art will host the exhibition "Cursed! The Power of Magic in the Ancient World" from March 21 to July 5, 2026. The show will feature over 75 objects on loan from around the world, spanning more than 2,000 years of history, and explore how ancient cultures tried to understand and harness the power of magic, shedding light on concerns that still resonate today.

Why it matters

This exhibition provides a rare opportunity for visitors to encounter extraordinary ancient artifacts that are typically housed in major museums worldwide. By exploring the role of magic in the ancient Mediterranean world, the show aims to connect modern audiences with the universal human desires for power, protection, and understanding that drove magical practices long ago.

The details

The exhibition, guest curated by Jeffrey Spier, former senior curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum, will feature Egyptian artwork, Mesopotamian sculptures, Greek and Roman relics, Babylonian masks, and more. Key themes include protective magic, communication with the divine, magic in daily life, and the diversity of cultural views on the subject across time and place.

  • The exhibition "Cursed! The Power of Magic in the Ancient World" will be on display at the Toledo Museum of Art from March 21 to July 5, 2026.

The players

Toledo Museum of Art

An art museum located in Toledo, Ohio that is hosting the "Cursed!" exhibition.

Jeffrey Spier

The guest curator of the exhibition, who previously served as the senior curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Adam M. Levine

The Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey Director, President and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art.

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What they’re saying

“Cursed! The Power of Magic in the Ancient World" is a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity for Toledo to encounter nearly 75 extraordinary objects that rarely leave the collections of major museums around the world.”

— Adam M. Levine, Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey Director, President and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art (wtol.com)

“There are remarkable similarities between the magical practices of the ancient world and perceptions of magic today. Magicians, witches and ghosts like those in our fairy tales and movies have roots in the ancient world. Love charms and curses may no longer be common, but we can easily understand the emotions behind them.”

— Jeffrey Spier, Guest Curator (wtol.com)

What’s next

The exhibition "Cursed! The Power of Magic in the Ancient World" will be on display at the Toledo Museum of Art from March 21 to July 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This exhibition provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the enduring human fascination with magic, connecting ancient practices to modern perceptions and shedding light on timeless questions about power, vulnerability, and the unknown.