Militia Banquet

Twenty-five militiamenMilitiasIn 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. are sitting relaxing around a table laden with delicious food and filled wine glasses. On the right two officers are congratulating each other. One is holding a silver drinking horn bearing the figure of St George. These are crossbowmen, members of the GuildGuildA guild is a society of persons united by a particular aim or occupation. Guilds were first formed in the Middle Ages. Some guilds were founded as charities, others were societies of merchants, craftsmen, artists and militias. Craftsmen would have been unable to practice their profession without being a member of the guild. Members were bound by a code of quality and price, but could also obtain assistance from the guild. An extensive apprenticeship system developed. Only a fully qualified master could become a member of the guild. Each guild had its patron saint: the patron of the painters guild was St Luke. of St George. The blue banner bearing the personification of the city reveal these to be Amsterdam militiamen. The painting is dated 1648, which indicates the reason for the celebration: the Treaty of Münster. The militiamen are celebrating the end of the Eighty Year War. Bartholomeus van der Helst painted this canvas after 1648. He probably spent one or two years working on it, painting the portraits of all the guardsmen, individually. This would explain why the men hardly look at each other.