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Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy , 1642

Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde, by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy, oil, 1642
Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde, by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy, oil, 1642

Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

It emphasizes collective authority and civic pride through formal poses and coordinated attire, reflecting the militia's role in city defense and civic duty.

The painting portrays the civic guard company of Amsterdam's IVth District, led by Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde, rendered in a group portrait typical of Dutch schutterstuk tradition. It emphasizes collective authority and civic pride through formal poses and coordinated attire, reflecting the militia's role in city defense and civic duty. The work combines realistic likenesses with symbolic representation of communal responsibility, embodying the political and social ideals of 17th-century Amsterdam.

The composition captures the militia company in a dynamic arrangement that highlights hierarchy and unity, reinforcing the notion of collective guardianship over the city's welfare.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for Dutch militia group portraits of the period. Pickenoy’s handling is precise and linear, emphasizing clear contours and planar organization of the figures. The composition arranges the civic guardsmen in a shallow, stage-like space, with the captain and lieutenant positioned centrally and slightly forward, directing the viewer’s eye across the canvas.

Stylistically, the work adheres to the schutterstuk tradition, favoring detailed costume rendering and an even, controlled lighting that flattens the pictorial depth. The palette relies on restrained earth tones punctuated by vivid accents in sashes and armor, reinforcing the hierarchical structure of the militia’s ranks.

History & Provenance

The militia group portrait Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde was painted by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy in 1642, as indicated by the work’s inscription and the date recorded in the artist’s oeuvre.

The painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, where it remains held. Its provenance is documented from the moment of creation directly into the museum’s holdings, with no intervening owners recorded.

Overview

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy’s 1642 oil painting records the officers and rank‑and‑file of Amsterdam’s Fourth District militia. Rendered in the Dutch Golden Age style, the canvas presents a formal group portrait of the Schutterij, a civic guard responsible for city defense and public order. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the era’s civic portraiture tradition.

Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde
Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde, Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy

Artist & collection

Portrait of Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy

Artist

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy (10 January 1588 – 1653/1656) was a Dutch painter of Flemish origin. Pickenoy was possibly a pupil of Cornelis van der Voort and presumably Bartholomeus van der Helst was his own pupil.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Rijksmuseum. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde?

Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde was painted by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy in 1642-01-01.

Where can I see Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde?

Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde?

Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde?

Museum-quality prints of Officers and other civic guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.