A Merry Company

This is an outstanding example of Palamedesz´s merry company scenes paited during his years in Delft. This example must date from about 1633, the date on a very similar scene in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Palamedesz´paintings are easily recognized; they mostly depict merry companies eating, drinking and playing music. The subject was very popular in Holland at the time, perhaps because of its ambiguity. The men are obviously enjoying themselves, but there are some details which alter the reading of the painting. The gentleman in a red coat - most certainly a soldier - is courting the woman inducing her to dring, and his rapier placed between his legs has its hilt pointing erect towards her. In the background a person is warning him, or her, by raising a forefinger and – more significantly – there is a bed hidden by a dark canopy. On top of the cabinet to the right there stands a statue of a warrior charging into battle with his sword.