Freedom of Conscience!

What Is the World Made Of?

And what does it mean to be a human being in it?

The questions sound simple. The answer is a kaleidoscope of insights that, like colourful pieces of glass, offer endless new points of view. Whether it is the alchemist seeking the Philosopher’s Stone, the astrologer studying the heavens, the scientist seeking to fathom the secret forces of nature, the philosopher pondering the All — all are seeking knowledge of the nature of God, world and man. The freedom to think, ask questions, investigate and challenge assumptions is crucial in this process.

In the exhibition Freedom of Conscience! Thought, Belief and Research in Europe, 1500–1800 the Embassy of the Free Mind presents the often beautifully illustrated work of pioneering thinkers in Renaissance and early modern Europe. Natural philosophers whose experiments pushed the limits of knowledge, defenders of tolerance and freedom of conscience who challenged the rigid views of the church, and mystics in search of a personal experience of the divine. Their work testifies to their quest for knowledge about the workings of both the visible and invisible worlds.

From Barcelona to Amsterdam

This exhibition was on display from 15 October 2024 to 10 January 2025 at the famous Biblioteca Pública Arús in Barcelona, another library that highly values free speech. With this exhibition, the Embassy of the Free Mind presented itself in Spain for the first time. It is our great pleasure to show this exhibition, which attracted large numbers of visitors in Spain, at our own museum as well.