Portrait of Loef Vredericx as an Ensign (1626)

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Mon, 18/08/2025 - 00:00

Thomas de Keyser’s Portrait of Loef Vredericx as an Ensign was finished in 1626 and hangs at The Hague, Holland.

Vredericx was a city silversmith, but here he is portrayed in the more dashing role of officer of the Amsterdam civic militia wearing the costume of a marksman with a green sash around his waist and a rapier at his side. Loef proudly had his portrait painted in this office by celebrated portraitist Thomas de Keyser. The standard bears the Dutch lion and the text Pro Patria - 'for country'.

It is one of my favourite pictures. So sharp and accurate is the image that first I took it to be a computer-enhancement of the original. My own poor photos barely do it justice in this regard, but the skill of the painter is at least as great as his subject's silversmithery. Silversmiths were highly skilled craftsmen and consequently wealthy men. Yet Vredericx wished to be remembered as a warrior, which he likely esteemed to be a higher call. Whether his martial skills were ever put to the test I cannot say, but the seventeenth-century Netherlands seldom lacked opportunities to fight on land or sea.

Silvermsmiths manufacture small goods in their chosen soft and beautiful metal, rather than wielding the cheaper, baser metals, yet here is a man who did both. Whatever one’s call, vocation or occupation, may we all fight the good fight of faith, putting aside private luxury and steady income, in order to make a stand for Christ Jesus.