The names of the people who paid for the painting. "Eighteen names appear on a shield, painted circa 1715, in the center-right background, as the hired drummer

The names of the people who paid for the painting. "Eighteen names appear on a shield, painted circa 1715, in the center-right background, as the hired drummer was added to the painting for free." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Watch#Commission https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Watch#Commission