What famous seventeenth-century Dutch painting provided the mural background for the 'somewhat Dutch' London restaurant that was the setting of a controversial 1989 film involving a French cook, a vile, gluttonous crime-boss, his wife Georgina and her book-selling lover?

gtho4

The film: "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" The restaurant: Le Hollandais Painting: same name as restaurant, by Frans Hals http://www.londonfoodfilmfiesta.co.uk/FILMMA~1/Thecoo~1.htm http://www.stratsplace.com/rogov/film_about_food.html">http://www.stratsplace.com/rogov/film_about_food.html Aug 10 05, 9:54 PM

Flem-ish

Excellent as far as the movie and the painter are concerned. But the real name of this painting refers to a group of people, not to just "one Dutchman" - in spite of what one of the websites suggests. Aug 11 05, 1:21 AM

gtho4

hmm, so much for guessing the name .. why did I know you'd say that! Aug 11 05, 2:06 AM

TabbyTom

According to the Internet Movie Database, the painting is "The Banquet of the Officers of the St. George Militia of Haarlem". http://www.nga.gov/feature/artnation/verspronck/thepainting_11.shtm Aug 11 05, 2:20 AM

Flem-ish

Quite correct, TT. There is another site at http://petergreenaway.co.uk/ctwl.htm that confirms the name. The name Georgina is probably an allusion to the militia's "patron saint". Another English version of the name of the painting is:" The Banquet of the Civic Guard of the Archers of St. George". Aug 11 05, 3:51 AM