Anoniem (1635)

Although the needle lace border was probably from Italy, the collar was made in the Northern Netherlands. The anonymous lacemaker employed the so-called reticella method to produce geometrical patterns. This type of men's collar came into fashion in the second quarter of the seventeenth century. It was attached at the front under the chin with a cord which terminated in tassels known as acorns. They owed their name, 'akertjes' in Dutch, to their resemblance to these nuts. www.rijksmuseum.nl/

Anoniem (1635)

Although the needle lace border was probably from Italy, the collar was made in the Northern Netherlands. The anonymous lacemaker employed the so-called reticella method to produce geometrical patterns. This type of men's collar came into fashion in the second quarter of the seventeenth century. It was attached at the front under the chin with a cord which terminated in tassels known as acorns. They owed their name, 'akertjes' in Dutch, to their resemblance to these nuts. www.rijksmuseum.nl/

Melchior d' Hondecoeter (1680)

Melchior d'Hondecoeter painted 'A Pelican and Other Birds Near a Pool', otherwise known as 'The Floating Feather' for the hunting lodge of Stadholder King William III, today's royal palace at Soestdijk. The Stadholder was an admirer of d'Hondecoeter's work. Particularly impressive were the natural poses in his portrayals of birds. The artist took live animals for his models, observing them in poultry yards in the country or at the menageries on landed estates. In this painting, d'Hondecoeter combined exotic birds, like the flamingo, with types which were common in more northern climes, such as the shelduck, on the right.
www.rijksmuseum.nl/

Melchior d' Hondecoeter (1680)

Melchior d'Hondecoeter painted 'A Pelican and Other Birds Near a Pool', otherwise known as 'The Floating Feather' for the hunting lodge of Stadholder King William III, today's royal palace at Soestdijk. The Stadholder was an admirer of d'Hondecoeter's work. Particularly impressive were the natural poses in his portrayals of birds. The artist took live animals for his models, observing them in poultry yards in the country or at the menageries on landed estates. In this painting, d'Hondecoeter combined exotic birds, like the flamingo, with types which were common in more northern climes, such as the shelduck, on the right.
www.rijksmuseum.nl/

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1662)

www.rijksmuseum.nl/

Rembrandt has portrayed the five syndics or sampling officials of the Amsterdam Drapers' Guild as if they are looking up from their work for a moment. On the table around which the five men are sitting is a book, probably used a record of the accounts. A servant is standing at the back - the only one wearing a skullcap rather than a hat. The board of sampling officials controlled the quality of dyed ' laken' cloth, a fine woollen fabric. To compare the quality of the different bales, they used samples of cloth - hence the name sampling officials. Rembrandt's Sampling Officials is a masterpiece among Dutch group portraits.

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1662)

www.rijksmuseum.nl/

Rembrandt has portrayed the five syndics or sampling officials of the Amsterdam Drapers' Guild as if they are looking up from their work for a moment. On the table around which the five men are sitting is a book, probably used a record of the accounts. A servant is standing at the back - the only one wearing a skullcap rather than a hat. The board of sampling officials controlled the quality of dyed ' laken' cloth, a fine woollen fabric. To compare the quality of the different bales, they used samples of cloth - hence the name sampling officials. Rembrandt's Sampling Officials is a masterpiece among Dutch group portraits.