Six Regents and the Beadle of the Nieuwe Zijds Institute for the Outdoor Relief of the Poor 1657

Ferdinand Bol's "Six Regents and the Beadle of the Nieuwe Zijds Institute for the Outdoor Relief of the Poor" is a group portrait of the regents of the Nieuwe Zijds charitable institution in Amsterdam. Painted in 1657, this oil on canvas depicts the regents, all men in black clothing with white collars and wide-brimmed hats, sitting around a table with documents and a quill pen. Bol's meticulous attention to detail and realistic depiction of the subjects reflect the values of the Dutch Golden Age. This painting is an important example of Dutch portraiture and offers a glimpse into the lives and roles of the ruling class of 17th-century Amsterdam.