Eric de Bruijn may have been born in Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, but it was in Portugal that he decided to settle permanently some 15 years ago. His desire to set up home in the country was the result of his regular visits since the mid-1970s. The city of choice was Portimão and its character as a port is reflected not only in the landscape, but also in the interior of his home.
Eric restored an old workshop for boats, whose history dates back to the golden age of the fish canning industry. Although the original layout of the building might not have changed much, the Dutch painter has more clearly defined the lines dividing the spaces, giving them a more modern, standardised function in step with today's needs.