The Sampling Officials of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild, known as ‘The Syndics’  1662

This is Rembrandt’s first and only corporate group portrait. The Syndics stands out for its exceptionally large format and more than life-sized figures. All eyes of the sampling officials – who assessed the quality of dyed cloth – are turned to us and one figure even rises from his chair as if to acknowledge our presence. Because of the low vantage point, the table seems t...