Dutch school; second third of the 17th century.

Dutch school; second half of the 17th century.
"Military".
Oil on panel.
It has frame of the nineteenth century.
Measurements: 27 x 40 cm; 44 x 56 cm (frame).
This painting, representative of the Dutch School of the second half of the XVII century, portrays a scene of meeting between four military officers, elegantly dressed and seated around a table covered with a fine red cloth. The atmosphere is intimate and sober, dominated by dark tones that contrast with the bright flashes of color of the bands, feathers and ornaments worn by the characters, which gives a strong component of dignity and prestige to the portrayed.
The Dutch School of this period, also known as part of the Dutch Golden Age, was characterized by its extraordinary technical mastery, its realistic detail and a deep sensitivity to the everyday and the individual. In this particular case the author demonstrates a remarkable ability to capture both the personality of the sitters and the hierarchy and solemnity of their function.The officers appear in distinguished garb, indicative of their military and social status, including richly decorated swords, silk stockings, feathered hats and crossed bands, possibly in the colors of their company or rank. The lighting, characteristic of baroque chiaroscuro, accentuates their faces and gestures, highlighting the interaction between them, which seems to capture a moment of deliberation or camaraderie. This play of light and shadow not only adds depth, but also a quiet drama, loaded with symbolism.
The dark background and the scarce presence of architectural elements reinforce the focus on the characters, who dominate the pictorial space. The brushwork is dense and elaborate, with special attention to the textures of the canvases and the effects of light on them.
This type of composition, depicting officers of civic companies or militias, was very common in the Netherlands during the 17th century, reflecting both civic pride and the central role of these institutions in the urban society of the time. These works fulfilled not only an aesthetic function, but also a commemorative and propagandistic one.