The City Council or Magistrate of Deventer, Gerard ter Borch from the old master collection

The City Council or Magistrate of Deventer, created by Gerard ter Borch in 1667, depicts the city council, consisting of two mayors, ten aldermen and four secretaries, seated in the "raetkamer" (the old council chamber).

The magistrate, also called aldermen and council, in the 17th century consisted of twelve aldermen and four councilors, supported by four city secretaries. Two aldermen each served as mayor together for 2 months per year. The aldermen were the most important gentlemen in the city government, while the councils had a more controlling role. The mayors also administered justice. To qualify for the position of alderman or council, one had to be Reformed and a citizen of Deventer for at least 6 years. They were often wealthy merchants or entrepreneurs. Aldermen and councils alternated annually by agreements with each other and with the electoral college (the sworn council). By marrying among themselves, a small circle of families could keep political power within a limited circle and in this way build up a privileged position. This administrative elite made mutual agreements on the distribution of lucrative offices.

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