‘’S heeren architect ende steenhouwer’

Melchior van Herbach and the Breda Wall in the Rijksmuseum

Abstract

The early seventeenth century Breda Wall in the Philips Wing of the Rijksmuseum takes its name from the origin of the bottom part of the wall: one of the façades of the stable complex of the former Nassau Palace in Breda. In the article the wall is attributed to the architect Melchior van Herbach on stylistic grounds, with indirect proof. Van Herbach began his career in Amsterdam in Hendrick de Keyser’s sphere of influence. He worked in Alkmaar and Bruges before settling in Breda, where he became Prince Maurice’s architect and master builder.