The disbanding of the 'waardgelders' (mercenaries in the pay of the town government) by Prince Maurits on the Neude, Utrecht, 31 July 1618

The composition portrays the moment Prince Maurits, mounted and flanked by officers, orders the release of the ‘waardgelders’, soldiers hired by the city council. The assembled townspeople react with a mixture of curiosity and tension, their gestures suggesting both relief and uncertainty about the political shift. The scene underscores the transition from private militia control to centralized authority in early‑17th‑century Utrecht.

Van Hillegaert employs a strong chiaroscuro that models the figures against the sun‑lit square, creating depth and emphasizing the central authority figure. The brushwork is brisk in the bustling crowd, while architectural elements are rendered with tighter detail. A muted palette of earth tones interspersed with brighter reds on uniforms highlights the military presence without overwhelming the overall balance.

Painted a decade after the event it depicts, the work reflects contemporary interest in civic milestones. It entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings in the early 20th century, having previously been part of a private Dutch collection. Documentation traces its attribution to van Hillegaert through stylistic comparison with his known military and equestrian subjects.