Banquet at the Crossbowmen’s Guild in Celebration of the Treaty of Münster by Bartholomeus van der Helst

Banquet at the Crossbowmen’s Guild in Celebration of the Treaty of Münster 1648

glass

character portrait

character art

painted

possibly oil pastel

glass

oil painting

underpainting

artist choice

painting painterly

portrait art

celebrity portrait

Bartholomeus van der Helst’s monumental “Banquet at the Crossbowmen’s Guild in Celebration of the Treaty of Münster” (1648) portrays a group of crossbowmen celebrating the end of the Eighty Years' War and the signing of the Treaty of Münster. The large-scale painting, housed in the Rijksmuseum, captures the festive mood and camaraderie of the event, featuring a rich tapestry of colorful costumes, weapons, and expressions. The composition is expertly balanced, with the figures arranged in a dynamic yet cohesive group, showcasing van der Helst’s mastery of group portraiture. This work is a significant example of Dutch Golden Age painting, celebrating the nation’s newfound peace and prosperity through vivid detail and a realistic portrayal of individuals.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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18 June 1648: a banquet is taking place at the Amsterdam crossbowmen’s guild. The occasion was the signing of the Treaty of Münster, which marked an end to the war with Spain. The captains of the civic guard company shake hands as a sign of peace, and the drinking horn is passed around. The poem on the drum proclaims the joy of Amsterdam’s armed militia that their weapons can henceforth be laid to rest.