An Officer Blowing a Trumpet

The trumpeter's task in the Dutch army was to alert all the soldiers in the guardroom (cortegaard) to march out of the military unit following a commander's orders. This painting is an example of the many guardroom scenes painted by Anthonie Palamedesz. Note the so-called clarion flag hung from the instrument.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 4 minutes): Giuseppe Aldrovandini: Sonata in D Major for two trumpets, strings and basso continuo