Broken

Discover how a fragment can tell a whole story in this major exhibition that brings together some 75 sculptures from 2,500 BCE to the present day. "Broken" examines the power of the fragment in sculpture, inviting visitors to rethink what “broken” means and to see fragments as sources of power, resistance, and artistic inspiration across millennia. The works on view—many of which rarely travel—tell stories about resilience, the loss and damage of cultural heritage, and the politics of restitution. Ranging from ancient Roman busts to modern works, the exhibition prompts reflection on how both humans and artworks are powerful yet fragile, and may leave viewers seeing the past, present, and themselves a little differently.

When: March 13 through June 27, 2027.

Location: West Building, Main Floor, National Gallery of Art, 6th and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565.

Tickets: Admission is always free and passes are not required.

Curators: The exhibition is curated by C. D. Dickerson III, dean of the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, and Andrew Sears, assistant curator of northern European paintings, both from the National Gallery of Art, in collaboration with Arturo Galansino, director general of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Florence.

Organization: The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Florence. It was previously presented at the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi from September 25, 2026, through January 24, 2027.

Support: Leadership support is provided by Laura and John Arnold. The exhibition is also made possible through the generosity of the Buffy and William Cafritz Family Fund and the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, with additional support from the Annenberg Fund for the International Exchange of Art.