Staalmeesters 1774

"Staalmeesters" (1774), an etching by Richard Houston (1721-1775), depicts a group of seven men in a formal setting, likely a guild meeting. The men are dressed in 18th-century attire and appear to be engaged in a discussion. The work, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, stands out for its precise detail and the artist's ability to capture the personalities of his subjects. Houston's etching, with its stark contrasts and focus on the human element, is an excellent example of the Dutch tradition of group portraiture.