• Man with a mission
  • Prince on horseback
  • Catherine with wheel and sword
  • Royal double portrait
  • Watchful eyes
  • A discovery
  • Oldest view of the town
  • A miraculous piece of bread
  • Popular painter’s model
  • Mister Candlelight
  • Neighbourly chat
  • An Etna for all
  • Inondations
  • The Sun Does (Not) Move(s)
  • Strutted Cloud
  • Untitled
  • Boy with Red Fruit
  • (R)OMA: A Family History
  • Resting Lionesses
  • Solar 1

Watchful eyes

Watchful eyes

How does it feel to be watched by a hundred eyes? These eye tiles have been found in various places in the castle. They come in two colours, yellow and blue. This is no coincidence, as they are from the Nassau family coat of arms. Henry III of Nassau probably ordered them from Guido Andries of Kammenstraat in Antwerp. They are made of majolica, a brittle type of glazed earthenware, and are based on the Italian ceramic originally produced in the time of the Renaissance. The eye refers to the symbol of watchfulness or vigilance and fair governance, the all-seeing god; it also serves to ward off danger.

Eye tiles from Breda Castle, Guido Andries [di Savino] (attributed to), c. 1530, earthenware, glaze | Stedelijk Museum Breda; on loan from Founding Stedelijk Museum