Officers of the militia of departmetn XIX in Amsterdam under the command of Cornelis Bicker and Frederick van Banchem, ready to receive Maria de' Medici in 1638

The painting shaped Dutch group portraiture, inspiring later militia works and securing Sandrart's reputation in 17th-century art history.

Its composition influenced subsequent schutterstuk pieces, embedding the depicted officers within Amsterdam's civic identity.

The work remains on display at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam Museum.

The painting's legacy is documented in art historical surveys of Dutch Golden Age portraiture.

Joachim von Sandrart the Elder’s oil on canvas, dated 1640, portrays the officers of Amsterdam’s militia department XIX as they prepare to welcome Maria de’ Medici in 1638. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and presents a formal gathering of civic guardsmen under the leadership of Cornelis Bicker and Frederick van Banchem.

The composition centers on a seated figure surrounded by uniformly dressed militia members, each in dark attire with stark white collars. Their posture and the presence of swords suggest readiness and ceremonial duty, reflecting the civic pride and political significance of the militia’s role in welcoming a foreign dignitary.

The work reflects the 17th‑century Dutch tradition of militia group portraits, which celebrated local governance and communal defense. By depicting the officers in the moment of receiving Maria de’ Medici, the painting also records a diplomatic encounter between Amsterdam’s civic authorities and the French queen‑mother, underscoring the city’s international connections.