Dirck Barendsz makes this group portrait after a stay in Venice, where one finds the cutting edge of painting. He even works in Titian’s workshop there. His Italian experience has taught him how to portray these civic guardsmen much more elegantly than has been the custom until now—the men in the foreground, for instance, seem to have turned to look at us. The gentlemen are enjoying themselves. The note on the left reads In Vino Veritas (‘In wine there is truth’).