Exhibition: Ambition & Longing

Aim and change

The 19th century brings great changes to Breda. The (steam) industry flourishes and the modern era is knocking on the door. The ancient Castle is given a new purpose as the Royal Military Academy, and the old fortifications give way to an ambitious expansion of the city. Factories such as Wittouck, Backer & Rueb, and Kwatta emerge everywhere. They bring prosperity, employment, and a new rhythm to city life.

Romantic longing

But while the city is racing forward, there is also a growing longing for the past. In the paintings and drawings of Breda artists, the romance of bygone days comes to life. Admire the works of Huysmans, Kannemans, and Van Schendel, in which gentle light falls over old cityscapes. Artists like Allebé and Liebermann also depict the rural life around Breda with nostalgic scenes – an idyllic counterbalance to industrial progress.