A Company of Amsterdam Militiamen
- Artist: Dutch
- Date: 19th century
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the "A Company of Amsterdam Militiamen" painted by a Dutch artist. At first glance, you might think it's from the 17th century, but that would be a misconception. The paint contains a pigment only introduced in the 1840s, so this work is actually from the second half of the 19th century.
Although there are similarities to paintings by Govert Flinck, a pupil of Rembrandt, any connection between them is extremely tenuous. Group portraits were popular during the Dutch Golden Age, with Rembrandt's Night Watch being one famous example. In this painting, you'll notice helmeted soldiers and finely dressed cavaliers - who may be officers. Look closely behind one of the men in black standing centre left, and you'll see a standard bearing the arms of Amsterdam.
This is a great example of how Dutch art evolved over time, and it's fascinating to think about the story behind this painting's creation.
See it in person
A Company of Amsterdam Militiamen hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
