painting
Catalog Number
2005.76.1Title
A Haarlem Civic GuardDate of Origin
ca. 1609Artist/Author
Engelsz, Cornelis (1574-1650)Materials
oil on canvas, wood frameDimensions
125 in.Description
Life-sized painting of a civic guard consisting of 28 men dressed in period clothing (Dutch 1600s). The men appear to be gathered in a hall, with a table visible on the right side.History
Since the 14th century, armed civic militias had protected Dutch towns. The officers of this unnamed Haarlem civic guard are not portrayed with firearms or uniforms, but at a celebration (1609 marked the beginning of a 12-year truce with Spain), meeting, or transaction (note the clasped hands). The substantial looting after the fall of Haarlem to the Spanish in 1573 explains the relatively small number of valuable objects on the table or in hand: a pineapple cup, a silver tazza (shallow drinking bowl with foot), and a green glass roemer (glass) with silver foot. Since Haarlem was noted for its breweries, it is likely the company was drinking beer.The names of the other two other civic guard portraits painted by Cornelis Engelsz.are known: the St. George Civic Guard of 1612 (in Strasbourg), and the 1618 Banquet of the Officers of the Haarlem Cluvenirs (in Haarlem).