Maaltijd van schutters van rot D (Voetboogschutters), ‘De Braspenningmaaltijd'

Once a year, the militiamen would gather together for a meal. It helped forge a sense of camaraderie. This group portrait is the earliest known depiction of one of these banquets, the first of many that followed. Apart from eating and drinking, the guests would also sing. One of the men at the table is holding a sheet of music with lyrics to a song called ‘In mijne sinn heb ik vercooren een meysken’ (In my heart I have chosen a girl). In the 18th century the painting became known as the Brass Penny Banquet. Probably because of the meagre meal of goose and heron displayed on the table. A brass penny was a coin worth slightly over five cents.

Maaltijd van schutters van rot D (Voetboogschutters), ‘De Braspenningmaaltijd'

Once a year, the militiamen would gather together for a meal. It helped forge a sense of camaraderie. This group portrait is the earliest known depiction of one of these banquets, the first of many that followed. Apart from eating and drinking, the guests would also sing. One of the men at the table is holding a sheet of music with lyrics to a song called ‘In mijne sinn heb ik vercooren een meysken’ (In my heart I have chosen a girl). In the 18th century the painting became known as the Brass Penny Banquet. Probably because of the meagre meal of goose and heron displayed on the table. A brass penny was a coin worth slightly over five cents.