HALS, Frans
(b. 1580, Antwerpen, d. 1666, Haarlem)

The Meagre Company (detail)

1633-37
Oil on canvas
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The exact title of the painting, the left side of it being illustrated here, is Officers of the Company of the Amsterdam Crossbow Civic Guard under Captain Reynier Reael and Lieutenant Cornelis Michielsz Blaeuw. It was commissioned from Frans Hals in 1633, but in 1636, when he had not yet finished it, was given to Pieter Codde for completition. It is dated at the right edge near the centre: Aº 1637.