Focus on The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Militia Company in 1627 and discuss the Historical context.
During the Eighty Years War or Dutch Revolt, Dutch cities had an established network of able-bodied recruitments of militiamen to keep their cities safe. These reserves of militia were established during the late Middle Ages, serving as far back as Haarlem in 1374. They consisted of archers and crossbowmen until the Spanish occupation killed three hundred servicemen in 1573. After Spanish occupation ceased in 1580, new officers were elected to lead four new militia companies of servicemen. This included St George Guild (of archers and crossbowmen) and St Hadrian Guild (of new modern riflemen), with an additional third unit in 1612.According to Claus Grimm, from the top, the hierarchy of a guild starts with a colonel, and the administrative coordinator is the closest subordinate supervising each company. Each company is led by a captain, a lieutenant, two sergeants, and an ensign, who were standard-bearers of the company's flag.Militia men also had to pay for their service, with only well-known citizens and wealthy members serving as officers. Additionally, people could not join the civic guard if they could not afford a uniform and weaponry. The highest ranks came from the wealthy merchant class, such as Captain Michiel de Wael who was a popular tavern keep in the region.During the Dutch Golden Age, Frans Hals had painted five schuttersstukken or group portraits of various Haarlem companies between the years 1616 to 1639. The group portrait for The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Militia Company in 1627 was commissioned by the members of the company to commemorate the end of their three years of service. The artist would be reimbursed equally by each member, though some members had the potential in paying more than what they were owed, which they used to adjust their placement on the painting. On the other end, those that were not able to pay their sum would have a diminished role in their placement on the canvas.
Haarlem the late Middle Ages schuttersstuk Claus Grimm crossbowmen Eighty Years War or Dutch Revolt merchant archers Michiel de Wael civic guard Dutch Golden Age Frans Hals riflemen