Regenten Regents of the Nieuwezijds Institute for the Outdoor Relief of the Poor, Amsterdam, c 1650 1645 - 1651

Jacob Backer's "Regenten Regents of the Nieuwezijds Institute for the Outdoor Relief of the Poor, Amsterdam" (1645-1651), currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a group portrait depicting the regents of a charitable institution in Amsterdam. The painting showcases the typical Dutch Golden Age style of group portraiture, emphasizing the formality and importance of the individuals depicted. The regents are shown seated at a table, each with a serious expression and dressed in somber black attire, indicative of their status and responsibility. This artwork is a valuable historical document, providing insight into the organization and leadership of charitable institutions in 17th-century Amsterdam.