One of the highlights in the exhibition is a painting by Jan Steen. It shows a family celebrating Sinterklaas. One of the children has been given a stick, that stick is the rod. There was no singing at that time Those who are sweet get treats, those who are naughty get the rodbecause the rod had a completely different meaning. If a child had been given the rod then, he would have reached the age where he no longer received presents.
How did the surprise come about and what do mussels have to do with Sinterklaas?
