Officieren van de Haarlemse Kloveniersdoelen by Hendrik Gerritsz Pot, 1630 oil on canvas, height 214cm x width 276cm
dutch afro
Note the flag carrier in white towards the right and his afro. Everyone else seems to have more closely cropped hair but who knows what they have hiding under their hats.
Also of interest, a painting of a painting : the top of a group portrait can be seen through the window.
I think the metal hand rails with the upturn at the end is designed discourage people from sliding down them.
an attempt to show the size and scale of the painting
Officieren van de Oude Schutterij in een landschap (Officers of the Old Militia in a landscape) by Claes Jacobsz. van der Heck, circa 1613
oil on panel, height 150cm x width 173cm signed "C. Heck fecit" vertically on the end of a fallen log the militia men are sitting on in the lower right quadrant.
This is a unique among Dutch militia paintings. A few Dutch Militia Paintings are out of doors but this is the only one I'm aware of is set within a landscape (as opposed having a landscape as a background). Militias were formed to defend the towns and cities and the city of Alkmaar can be seen in the distant background.
Some militia's had their portraits painted in front of the Doelen (the militia headquarters). The reason for the setting could be that the militia went to the countryside to target shoot whereas other militias might target shoot to the city walls.
There is a house in the center of the picture and to its side is a cart/carriage. Another house is in the distance on the right. In the distance is the Sint-Laurenskerk (Saint Laurence) church.
The foreground has 17 men, the militia members. One of the foreground men gesturing to the left holds keys in his other hand. A man pouring a drink on the right and several of the men in the foreground hold glasses. In front of the house appears to be dishes on the ground being licked clean by a dog. Many Dutch Militia Paintings were set during a meal with the members around a table. (like this one also from 1613 by Jan Tengnagel which also includes an ostentatious pouring of a drink.) The militia member sitting on the far left appears to have a dagger behind his back while, in contrast, the Tengnagel painting shows several men with swords.
The painter, Claes Jacobsz. van der Heck, included a self-portrait of himself apparently as the man standing next to a woman in the midground in front of the house. In the background are many extraneous people (I count 15) which is uncommon for a militia painting. The painting has an assortment of sheep (11), dogs (I count 8), and birds (including a peacock standing on the fence).
Also unique among Dutch militia paintings, in the upper left quadrant are 2 rabbits having sex :
detail of the center left section
an attempt to show the size and scale of the painting
Apropos of Tom Hanks being claimed to be the most trusted man in America I present this :
Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd rapping during the end credits of the movie Dragnet (1987). A quick search and I find its own music video including extensive choreographed and synchronized dancing.
Note Tom Hanks going for the 1980s style of shouting out the lyrics.
Performed by Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks
Featuring Glenn Hughes and Pat Thrall
Written by Peter Aykroyd, Dan Aykroyd and Pat Thrall
produced by J.B. Moore and Robert Ford
The lyrics to City of Crime :
Dan Aykroyd : This is the city. It's a city of crime. My name is Friday. I carry a badge.
Dan Aykroyd : 3:15 a.m., Thursday, January 15. It was chilly that morning in the City of Angels.
On this particular occasion we happened to witness a pagan* ritual in progress.
Dan Aykroyd : See that, Streebek? We’re just in time
We have stumbled into a major crime
Tom Hanks : They've got the girl all fright
Now that’s not nice
I think she is the subject of a sacrifice
Dan Aykroyd : Buddy, we’re putting this party on ice
Tom Hanks : But first you know we really ought to read 'em their rights
Dan Aykroyd : Read ‘em their rights
Read ‘em their rights
Tom Hanks :
Well, I’m here tonight to rap about your rights
Cause right now you’re in trouble
Don’t have to say nothing at all, you all got two calls
And you’d better make ‘em on the double
Pagans :
This is a city of crime
Don’t step out of line
This is a city of crime
You’d better be praying your judge is kind
Dan Aykroyd :
You’re a dangerous mob and it is our job
To bust you all for being violent
While we are here let’s state it clear
Tom Hanks : You have the right to remain silent!
Pagan :
Well, excuse me copper, Mr. Crimestopper,
What is wrong with what we’re doing?
We just like to dance in our goatskin pants
Around this ancient ruin
Tom Hanks : Now it's not so funny,
That it costs big money
If you ever have to hire a lawyer
Dan Aykroyd : It’s my duty to inform you
And my pleasure to warn you
Tom Hanks : We’ll provide one for ya! Huh!
Pagans :
This is a city of crime
Don’t step out of line
This is a city of crime
You're looking at seven to nine
Dan Aykroyd : Now you know what you’ve been doing is a serious crime
Tom Hanks : And you'll probably be doing some serious time
Dan Aykroyd : In case you might be worried about the friends you lose
Tom Hanks : At least they get to see you on the evening news
Dan Aykroyd : It’s a new sensation
Tom Hanks : We go down to the station
Dan Aykroyd : You’re going to answer some questions
Tom Hanks : And have some refreshments
Dan Aykroyd : What is your full name? What were you doing on January 15th of this year? All we want is the truth, mister. What were you doing in the location in question? What is the purpose of your pagan organization?
Pagan : Whoa! You can't pin nothing on me copper!
Well, excuse me
Excuse me
Don’t use or abuse or refuse me
It’s no joke, I’m broke
My rights I can and will invoke
I’m homely, and I’m lonely
But the state cannot disown me
It’s ain't funny
I might want money
To take home to my honey
Pagans :
This is a city of crime
Don’t step out of line
This is a city of crime
Where an [something indistinct] is hard to find
[the movie end credits version ends here with the sound of a jail cell slammed closed]
Dan Aykroyd :
In case you don't agree
With my methodology
I like to do things my way
Tom Hanks : Don't get memory loss
About who's the boss
Dan Aykroyd : Don't forget my name is
Everyone : Friday!
Dan Aykroyd : I'm the man of the hour
Tom Hanks : The tower of power
Dan Aykroyd : I'm the arm of the law
Tom Hanks : The very last straw
Dan Aykroyd : I'm on the side of the right
Tom Hanks : A Trojan white knight
Dan Aykroyd : If you get me uptight I am
Tom Hanks : A frightening sight
Dan Aykroyd : I'm as strong as the army
Tom Hanks : Nothing can't harm me
Dan Aykroyd : Coming down like a hammer
Everyone : Get ready for the slammer
[sound of a jail cell slammed closed] *"pagan" the video informs stands for People Against Goodness And Normalcy
Here's the game : describe a movie in a way that is specific enough for most people to recognize it but generally enough that it can also describe another movie. Ideally, the second movie is radically different than the first (ie. referencing sequels is cheating).
example one Description : a young man leaves home and goes far, far away to save a community under siege by an old guy and some monsterous creatures trying to take over and along the way gets wise advise from a little green guy. Answer : Star Wars Alternative answer : the Muppets (2011) a young man (Luke Skywalker/Walter) leaves home and goes far, far away to save a (Ewok/Muppet) community under siege by an old guy (The Emperor/Tex Richman) and his lackeys (Stormtroopers/henchmen muppets) and his monsters (bounty hunters/henchmen muppets) trying to take over and along the way gets wise advise from a little green guy (Yoda/Kermit).
example two
Description : Milla Jovovich plays a peculiar woman who doesn't seem to understand the prevailing customs, she shows up to help this guy (and he helps her) and she thinks she is a savior for the cause all among a barrage of violence.
Answer : The Fifth Element
Alternative answer : Messenger the Story of Joan of Arc
Milla Jovovich plays a peculiar woman (Leeloo/Joan of Arc) who doesn't seem to understand the prevailing customs, she shows up to help this guy (Korben Dallas/the Dauphin) (and he helps her) and she thinks she is a savior for the cause all among a barrage of violence (the Mangalores/the Hundred Years' War).
example three
Description : An archaeologist will go any distance to find ancient relics and along the way he climbs in ancient ruins, befriends a small boy, meets a girl and fights an evil villain and his henchmen.
Answer : Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Alternative answer : Stargate
An archaeologist (Indiana Jones/Dr. Daniel Jackson) will go any distance to find ancient relics and along the way he climbs in ancient ruins, befriends a small boy (Short Round/egyptian kid), meets a girl and fights an evil villain (Thugee high Priest/Ra) and his henchmen (Thugee cultists/animal head guards).
Example of what not to do :
Description : a guy goes away to fulfill a task, faces a challenge where his actions decide the fate of others, and in the process overcomes something.
Answer : it might be easier to count the movies that don't match the description.
Col. Milquetoast was one of the thousands of monkeys banging on typewriters since the mid-seventies trying to recreate Macbeth. Having become disaffected by the intense pressure involved, his complete lack of talent and his superior's refusal to make use of his prehensile tail he quit to lead a simple but mostly contented life in the midwest. Occasionally he writes in third person when there was no good reason not to write in first person.
