Portrait Pavilion

The Duivenvoorde Castle dates from 1226 and is one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands. The castle was never sold but changed owners by inheritance until 1960 the management of the castle and the estate were transferred to a foundation and the castle opened as a museum. The Portrait Pavilion in the ballroom of the ancient Duivenvoorde Castle is the centerpiece of the celebration of the museums 50th anniversary. The interior of ballroom, dating back to 1717, has a unique Louis XIV style and is attributed to court architect Daniel Marot. The rich woodwork contains life-sized portraits of the successive generations who lived at the castle. In addition the museum has a collection of 131 (family) portraits on display spread over the different halls and rooms of the castle. The entire collection of portraits is assembled in one place, forming the basis of the exhibition. All portraits are scanned, reproduced in black and white and suspended on the bright-lit walls in the pavilion. Several artists are invited to bring a personal portrait and add a contemporary layer to the exhibition. The life-sized portraits function as a historical backdrop. The hexagonal shape of the pavilion is an extrusion of the central pattern in the existing broadloom carpet. The exterior of the pavilion is clad with acrylic sheets with a mirroring surface. Because of the mirroring, the interior of the baroque room becomes an even more excessive space whereby the pavilion, ballroom, visitor and portraits visually merge into one complex image.