Joost Cornelisz. Droochsloot (Utrecht 1586-1666)

Joost Cornelisz. Droochsloot was born in 1586, little is known of his life. He was admitted to the Utrecht Guild of St. Luke in 1616 at the age of forty and was active in the city until 1660. He served as dean of the Guild in 1623-4. Droochsloot is known primarily for genre scenes, but he also painted landscapes and historical subjects. Examples of his works include Soldiers in a Village of 1644 (Christchurch Art Gallery, New Zealand) and A Village Scene (The Louvre, Paris).
The Dutch word Kermesse derives from kerk, meaning 'church' and mis for 'mass', describing the mass said on the anniversary of the foundation of a church or parish, celebrated with feasting, dancing and sports.