Below: Stunning large painting by Biltius, shown at TEFAF 2004 by Rafael Valls.

 

Nieuwe Schutterij Doelen (New shooting range), now demolished on Verwersdijk, near present day Mastenstraat and Doelenplein.

It was built on the grounds of the Mary Magdalen convent which after 1557-58 served as a Plague house named Mary Magdalen hospice or New Hospice.

Houbraken mentions a painting by Joris van Schoten in the Doelen building.

For members of the civic guard see Pieter Anthonisz van Bronchorst, Johannes Vermeer, and others.

The anatomy chamber was located south of the shooting range.

Pieter Rijckx was the artful stonemason who was honoured to make two separate sculptures on the themes of guards and anatomy. These were installed above gates of the Shooting Gallery (Doelen) and Anatomy Theatre at Doelenstraat / Doelenplein. Clearly the city magistrate spared no expense in creating one of the finest monumental outdoor spaces of Delft.

 

Above: Stunning large painting by Biltius, shown at TEFAF 2004 by Rafael Valls.

 

Note. Montias 1993, p. 363, document '296 bis' names Vermeer as a civic guard in 1674. Details on the convent in H.C. Brouwer, 'Stedebouwkundige veranderingen...' in exh.cat. De Stad Delft, cultuur en maatschappij van 1572-1667, Vol I, p. 38. Museum Prinsenhof Delft, 1981.

Arnold Houbraken, De groote Schouburgh der Nederlantsche Konstschilders en Schilderessen, The Hague 1752 [2nd ed.] Book 1, page 130.

This page forms part of a large encyclopedic site on Delft. Research by Drs. Kees Kaldenbach (email). A full presentation is on view at johannesvermeer.info.

Launched 16 February 2005; Last update March 1, 2017. More info in the RKD site.