The city officials of The Hague, all dressed in black, have taken their seats around a long table. On the left and right, the captains and standard-bearers of the four companies of the Sint-Sebastian militia in The Hague enter the room. The painting of Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of archers, above the fireplace is an indication that we are in the target building. It was very common for the magistrate of The Hague to meet annually on one of the fair days in the 'Mayor's Room' of the building of the Sint-Sebastian militia to discuss the militia.
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With this depiction of the reception of the officers of the militia by the Hague magistrate, the painter Jan van Ravesteyn has made a unique contribution to the Dutch group portrait in the 17th century. Not only is he one of the first to portray regents in their position as city administrators, but he combined the so-called magistrate's portrait with the long-standing tradition of the civic guard portrait. At the same time, this group portrait also shows the painter's unmistakable talent for composition. Through a calm and balanced arrangement, he manages to make a unity of the 26 individual portraits.