The Amsterdam artist, Pieter Codde (1599/1600 – 1678), was mainly known as a portrait painter, although his indoor scenes were also popular. His family portraits exude the same carefree atmosphere as his brothel scenes. In 1636 Codde was commissioned by an Amsterdam militia company to finish a work which his famous colleague Frans Hals did not want to complete. In the Meagre Company, as the milita piece is called, the styles of both painters can be recognised. Pieter Codde has tried to blend his style with that of Hals; however his own style remains recognisably smoother. Pieter Codde was buried on 12 October 1678 in Amsterdam.
Finishing a canvas of this magnitude was no easy task for Codde, who usually worked in small formats with great precision. The left side, up to the figure in light clothes in the centre, is by Frans Hals. He also painted most of the hands and faces. The rest is by Pieter Codde. Although he tried to adapt to Hals' style, Codde's half is clearly less powerful, it is smoother and more precise and therefore less profound. The rendering of the various textures provides an excellent illustration. While Hals' brushstrokes are clearly defined, Codde's brushwork is hardly visible. This is clear from a comparison of the black in the clothes of two officers, one by Codde and one by Hals.
[Oil on canvas, 209 x 429 cm]
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