Schutters van de compagnie van kapitein Joan Huydecoper en luitenant Frans van Waveren, 1648 1648 - 1672

Pieter Jansz. created this 235 by 430 millimeter drawing in 1648, depicting the company of Captain Joan Huydecoper and Lieutenant Frans van Waveren. In the Dutch Golden Age, civic guard portraits like this one weren't just about appearances; they were powerful statements of identity and civic pride. These weren't professional soldiers but citizen militias, and being portrayed in such a group was a matter of honor and status. The drawing immortalizes a specific social class – the affluent citizens who had the means and standing to be part of these companies. The civic guards played a crucial role in maintaining order and defending cities, but they also represented a form of social networking and political influence. So while the drawing appears to be a straightforward depiction of a company, it also speaks volumes about the social hierarchies and power dynamics of the time.