Officers of the militia of departmetn XIX in Amsterdam under the command of Cornelis Bicker and Frederick van Banchem, ready to receive Maria de' Medici in 1638

Sandrart employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with illuminated faces and clothing to model the figures in three‑dimensional relief. The limited palette of dark hues punctuated by bright highlights accentuates texture and draws attention to individual expressions within the group setting.

Executed shortly after the 1638 event, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its Dutch Golden Age collection. Its attribution to Sandrart the Elder has been confirmed through stylistic analysis and archival records linking the artist to civic commissions in Amsterdam.

The work reflects the 17th‑century Dutch tradition of militia group portraits, which celebrated local governance and communal defense. By depicting the officers in the moment of receiving Maria de’ Medici, the painting also records a diplomatic encounter between Amsterdam’s civic authorities and the French queen‑mother, underscoring the city’s international connections.