Isaac Lodewijk la Fargue van Nieuwland: An officer. a musician and a member of the Cent Suisses (1766)

 
(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Two drawings made by the Dutch artist Isaac Lodewijk la Fargue van Nieuwland (1726 – 1805). These drawings are part of a set that shows uniforms of members of the court of Prince William V of Orange-Nassau, Stadtholder of the United Provinces. Like some other countries, the 18th century Dutch army had Swiss soldiers serving in its ranks. Some of these Swiss soldiers served as the bodyguard of Prince William V - called the cent suisses. The role of these bodyguards was purely ceremonial and also had a quasi 16th century uniform shows here. From left to right: a musician, a soldier and an officer. The cent suisses were disbanded in 1795. Drawings from 1766.