Pieter Codde (1599/1600-1678)The Amsterdam artist, Pieter Codde, was mainly known as a portrait painter, although his indoor scenes were also popular. His family portraits exude the same carefree atmosphere as his brothel scenes. In 1636 Codde was commissioned by an Amsterdam militia companyMilitiasIn the Late Middle Ages the first militia units were formed. The various companies were named after the weapons they bore: the longbowmen, the crossbowmen and the arquebusiers, named after the 16th-century weapon, the arquebus or 'klover'. Civic guard units were deployed to quell riots and were called up in war. They also patrolled the city. Militiamen supplied their own equipment and uniforms, so they usually came from the wealthier classes. It was customary for companies to commission artists to paint their portraits. In the prosperous 17th century numerous civic guard portraits were painted. to finish a work which his famous colleague Frans Hals did not want to complete. In the 'Meagre Company', as the militia piece is called, the styles of both painters can be recognised. Pieter Codde has tried to blend his style with that of Hals; however his own style remains recognisably smoother. Pieter Codde was buried on 12 October 1678 in Amsterdam. |
