Pamono Chris Verbeek, Broken I, 1977, Zinc and Wood

Chris Verbeek, “Gebroken I (Broken I),” Zinc and Wood, The Netherlands, 1977

Dimensions: H. 27 cm (10.63 in.) x W. 22.5 cm (8.86 in.) x D. 6.5 cm (2.56 in.)

A rare and striking zinc sculpture by Dutch artist Chris Verbeek, titled “Gebroken I” (Broken I), created in 1977. The work explores the tension between geometric order and interruption, where clean linear planes are dramatically broken by sharp angular cuts. Raised on a wooden plinth, the piece exudes both sculptural solidity and dynamic rhythm.

Verbeek’s oeuvre, though less widely known internationally, is firmly rooted in the late 20th-century Dutch sculptural tradition that balanced Minimalism and Constructivism. His works from the 1970s embody the period’s fascination with industrial materials—zinc, steel, and wood—while maintaining a highly personal sense of spatial poetry.

Broken I resonates with the visual language of Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Eduardo Chillida, and Carel Visser, aligning Verbeek with an international movement of sculptors who transformed industrial materials into works of contemplative abstraction.

This piece was once part of the Dienst Verspreide Rijkscollecties (Dutch State Art Collection) and bears its original collection labels and inventory numbers on the underside of the base, underscoring its provenance and institutional history.

A compelling example of postwar Dutch abstraction, Gebroken I offers collectors an opportunity to acquire a rare work that bridges Dutch Minimalist traditions with international avant-garde sculpture of the late 20th century.

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