Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild by Pieter (I) Pietersz.

Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild 1599

pieteripietersz

character portrait

low key portrait

portrait image

portrait subject

portrait reference

portrait head and shoulder

facial portrait

portrait art

portrait character photography

celebrity portrait

Pieter Pietersz.'s "Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild" (1599) depicts six men, likely members of the Drapers' Guild, a prominent guild in the Netherlands, wearing black clothing and large, white ruffs, against a dark background. The realistic portrayal of the figures, their solemn expressions, and the detailed rendering of their clothing and accessories are characteristic of Pieter's style and the Dutch Golden Age tradition of group portraiture. This painting would have served as a commemorative piece honoring the guild's leadership and its importance in the community.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Wardens were the supervisors and governors of the Drapers’ Guild. They were responsible for inspecting fabrics, determining the types of woollens and the manner of weaving and dyeing. Pieter Pietersz’s group portrait is still firmly rooted in the 16th-century tradition of static militia company portraits, yet the many hand gestures enliven this somewhat stiff composition.