Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
By Frans Hals
Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
This painting shows the officers who served in the Civic Guard of St. George from 1624 to 1627, at their farewell banquet. Officers were appointed for a three-year period by the city council. They commemorated the end of their term of service with a banquet, which the city council helped pay for. The officers wear sashes with the colours of their company flag: white, orange or blue. In the 18th century numbers were painted on the guardsmen. A plaque was added, under the painting, showing their names and corresponding numbers, so that viewers would know who was who. Captain Le Febure (3), is shown standing. This made his small stature less noticeable. Boudewijn van Offenberg (8) and Jacob Schout (10) are also depicted on the portrait from 1616. They were ensign-bearers from 1612 to 1627.