Who painted Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild?

Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild was painted by Pieter Pietersz the Elder in 1600.

Where can I see Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild?

Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild?

Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild?

Museum-quality prints of Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild

Pieter Pietersz the Elder , 1600

Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter Pietersz the Elder. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Pieter Pietersz the Elder’s oil painting titled Six Wardens of the Drapers’ Guild was executed around the year 1600. The work portrays a group of six men dressed in black robes with white collars, gathered closely together within a dark interior. It is part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Subject & Meaning

The figures represent the senior officials of the Drapers’ Guild, a medieval trade organization that regulated the cloth trade. Their solemn expressions and attentive postures suggest a moment of discussion or decision‑making, with the central figure gesturing as if explaining a point to his colleagues.

Technique & Style

Pietersz employs a strong chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows on the cheeks with illuminated skin to give the faces a three‑dimensional quality. The dark background isolates the subjects, while a faint suggestion of a spiral staircase at the edges adds depth to the composition.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the 17th century, the portrait remained in the possession of the Drapers’ Guild before entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. The museum acquired it as part of its collection of Dutch Golden Age works, where it continues to be displayed as an example of civic portraiture.