Anonymous: New Year's card of the Civic guard of Haarlem (1625)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

A woodcut made by an unknown Dutch artist. In the middle ages is was customary for various guilds and public officials to print a new year's greeting to the citizens of their city. This print is that of the civic guard of the town of Haarlem. The picture shows various members of the civic guard together with prince Maurice of Orange, stadtholder of all the provinces and army commander of the Dutch Republic. The standardbearer has a flag with the text "DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI" (= "It is sweet and honorable to die for the fatherland"). The text at the bottom is a patriotic text which reminds the reader of the glorious deeds of the past, praises their courage, bravery and loyalty and greets all the members of the city council, officers of the civic guard and all the citizens of Haarlem. Woodcut from 1625.