Militia Company of District VIII in Amsterdam under the Command of Captain Roelof Bicker

Civilians also served as armed guardsmen to defend their cities. The wealthiest among them were eager to have their portraits included in large civic guard paintings. This painting originally hung in the same hall of the Kloveniersdoelen (Arquebusiers’ Headquarters) as Rembrandt’s night Watch. We know everyone’s name except for the boy carrying a red cloak in the middle. He is the servant of the man beside him, holding a staff.