Broken: The Power of the Fragment in Sculpture

Discover how a fragment tells a whole story.

Journey to pivotal places and moments in history with sculptures marked by time, war, and reinvention from 2,500 BCE to today. Some 75 works tell stories about resilience, the loss and damage of cultural heritage, and the power and politics of restitution. And many rarely travel; seeing them side by side is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Broken invites you to rethink what “broken” means—to see how fragments have been sources of power, resistance, and artistic inspiration for millennia. You’ll explore how humans and works of art are both powerful and fragile. You may leave seeing the past, present, and yourself a little differently. 

The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Florence. It can be seen in Florence, Italy September 25, 2026–January 24, 202

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website