DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

24 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

From Gazing Ball to crazy paving: Koons sculpture goes to pieces in Amsterdam church

April 9, 2018
Part of Gazing Ball (Perugino Madonna and Child with Four Saints), 2014–15 by Jeff Koons
The Gazing Ball in happier times. Photo: Sake Elzinga/HH

An exhibition in Amsterdam of a work by the American artist Jeff Koons had an explosive conclusion when a visitor accidentally shattered it on the final day.

‘Gazing Ball’ was a meticulous copy of an altarpiece by the 16th-century Italian artist Pietro Perugino, Madonna and Child with Four Saints, offset by a blue glass ball.

Koons said the purpose of the ball was to transform the work into a three-dimensional interactive experience. ‘You become part of the painting and the painting becomes part of you,’ he told the Volkskrant in an interview shortly before the item went on show in February.

But the kind of interaction that took place in the Nieuwe Kerk on Sunday afternoon was probably not what Koons had in mind. ‘We are still investigating exactly what happened,’ spokesman Martijn van Schieveen told the Volkskrant.

He added that the visitor concerned was ‘deeply shocked’ and there was no suggestion of sabotage. ‘He wanted to touch the artwork like lots of other people. Then the ball shattered.’

Van Schieveen would not disclose how much the work was valued for for insurance reasons. He also declined to comment on why visitors were able to come so close to the exhibits. ‘There was a line on the ground to show that visitors are not allowed to get too near. The security guards also watch out that it doesn’t happen.’

Gazing Ball was on display as part of the Masterworks exhibition in the Nieuwe Kerk, a rotating exhibition which focuses on a single work of art at one time. The work was due to be replaced on Monday. Previously featured artists have included Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall and Francis Bacon.

Koons has so far not commented on the demise of his ball.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Uncategorized
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
AEX falls as Trump threatens 50% import tariff on European goods
Dutch forensic experts develop deepfake video detector
Zaanstad says yes to tourist tickets for Zaanse Schans windmills
Fewer international child abductions by parents last year
Weekend brings showers and cooler weather, sun still possible
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now