Isabella Flores
The Night Watch, painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1642, is a group portrait of a militia company. The painting is also known as Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq. The name 'The Night Watch' was first recorded in 1797 and was given to the painting due to the thick, dark varnish that had accumulated on it over the years, giving the impression that it depicted a nocturnal scene.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original name | Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq |
| Alternate original name | The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburgh |
| Common name | The Night Watch |
| Artist | Rembrandt |
| Year | 1642 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 379.5 x 453.5 cm |
| Location | Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam |
| Subject | Group portrait of a militia company |
| Style | Baroque |
| Reason for name | Thick, dark yellow varnish |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's dark varnish
The accumulation of dirt and varnish had a notable impact on the painting's aesthetic and perception. By the time the painting acquired its popular name, it had darkened considerably, enhancing the sense of a night-time scene. This evolution of the painting's appearance showcases the impact of time and environmental factors on artistic creations.
The dark varnish and dirt accumulation also contributed to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding the painting. As the original colours and details became obscured, the painting may have taken on a more enigmatic quality, capturing the imagination of viewers and adding to its allure.
While the darkening of the painting was unintentional, it had a profound impact on its interpretation and popularity. The name "The Night Watch" evokes a sense of vigilance and secrecy, aligning with the subject matter of a militia company. This title, combined with the darker appearance, likely contributed to the painting's enduring fascination and recognition.
The restoration and conservation of the painting have revealed more of the original colours and details. Modern conservation techniques have allowed for the removal of accumulated dirt and the restoration of the painting to its original glory. However, the impact of the dark varnish on the painting's history and perception remains a significant aspect of its story.
In conclusion, the dark varnish of "The Night Watch" is a fascinating aspect of its history. The unintentional darkening of the painting contributed to its popular name and interpretation, showcasing the interplay between artistic intention and the effects of time. The restoration of the painting has allowed for a better understanding of its original appearance, while the impact of the dark varnish continues to be a notable part of its legacy.
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The militia company
The Night Watch, also known as The Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, is a group portrait of a militia company, the civic guard, charged with preventing attacks on Amsterdam. It is Rembrandt's most famous painting, completed in 1642 at the peak of the Dutch Golden Age.
The painting is a commissioned work, with Rembrandt receiving the commission around 1639. It was one of a series of seven similar paintings of the militiamen commissioned during that time from various artists. The painting was intended to hang in the banquet hall of the newly built Kloveniersdoelen (Musketeers' Meeting Hall) in Amsterdam. The work was likely commissioned by the men who feature in it. Each sitter paid a fee based on their prominence within the painting.
The painting depicts the company moving out, led by Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, who is in the centre of the composition. He wears the formal black attire and white lace collar of the upper class, accented by a bold red sash across his chest. The captain is leading his yellow-clad lieutenant, Willem van Ruytenburch, who is on his left. The painting is unique in its portrayal of the militia company, as it does not depict the traditional arrangement of neat rows of figures or a banquet. Instead, Rembrandt animates his portrait, with the sitters performing specific actions that define their roles as militiamen. The painting also incorporates charged symbolism, such as the chicken in the middle of the action, playing on the name Cocq.
The Night Watch is a colossal painting, measuring 363 cm x 437 cm (12 x 14.5 feet). It is displayed in the ""Gallery of Honour" of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The painting has been the target of multiple attacks over the years, including knife attacks and an acid attack, but it has been successfully restored each time.
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Rembrandt's unconventional composition
Rather than arranging his subjects in static rows, Rembrandt animates his portrait by depicting the sitters performing specific actions that define their roles as militiamen. The painting captures a complex moment of transition, with individuals moving from their separate thoughts into a formation as they respond to their captain's command. This sense of movement and theatricality is emphasised by the choreography of gestures, glances, muskets, and banners, as well as the building up of pigment in the foreground that flattens as the perspective recedes.
The painting is also notable for its large scale and the inclusion of symbolic elements. It measures 363 cm × 437 cm (or 142.9 inches × 172.0 inches) and originally included even more figures, with 16 additional portraits of members of the company inscribed on a framed shield in the archway. Only 18 of the 34 characters in the scene are portraits of actual people, while the remaining figures are symbolic, such as the young girl in yellow, who is the allegorical emblem of the guard.
Rembrandt's composition also incorporates charged symbolism that plays on the name Cocq, such as the chicken in the middle of the action. The musket, the official weapon of the Kloveniers, is given prominence, and the basic way to handle the weapon is depicted correctly. The painting's original title, "Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq", reflects the subject matter, but the commonly used title "The Night Watch" is a misnomer, as the painting does not depict a nocturnal scene.
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The painting's original size
The Night Watch, also known as Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn and completed in 1642. The painting is a commissioned group portrait of a militia company, also known as a civic guard or civic militia guard. It is considered one of the most famous Dutch Golden Age paintings.
The painting was already large, but the trimming altered the composition by changing the placement of key figures. Before the trimming, the two lieutenants were positioned off-centre, creating a sense of movement and dynamics as the troops marched towards the left of the painting. With the lieutenants in the centre after the trimming, this sense of movement and dynamics was lost.
The painting was cut down to 363 by 437 centimetres (12 by 14.5 feet). It is currently displayed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, in the Nachtwachtzaal (Room of the Night Watch).
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The painting's commissioner
The Paintings' Commissioner
The commissioner of Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" was the Kloveniersdoelen, the guild hall that housed the Amsterdam civic guard company of arquebusiers, or musketeers. The painting was commissioned to hang in the banquet hall of the newly built Kloveniersdoelen (Musketeers' Meeting Hall) in Amsterdam.
The company was under the command of Captain Frans Banning Cocq, who holds a prominent position in the centre foreground of the image. He wears the formal black attire and white lace collar of the upper class, accented by a bold red sash across his chest. His lieutenant, Willem van Ruytenburch, is seen on his left side, standing out from the dark background with his yellow attire.
The painting was completed in 1642, at the peak of the Dutch Golden Age, and is considered one of the most famous Dutch paintings from this period. It is a group portrait of a civic guard company, also known as a militia company, and measures a colossal 363 cm x 437 cm (12 x 14.5 feet).
Rembrandt received the commission for this painting in around 1639, at the height of his career. The work was well-received, and Rembrandt became a sought-after artist, receiving commissions from the elite. However, after completing "The Night Watch", Rembrandt entered a period where he stopped producing portraits and significantly reduced his painting output.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting was originally known as 'The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburgh' or ''Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq'. The name 'The Night Watch' was given to the painting later, in the 18th century, due to its dark appearance caused by the accumulation of dirt and varnish.
The painting was commissioned by the men who feature in it, who paid Rembrandt a large sum of 1,600 guilders (each person paid 100 guilders).
The painting was originally even larger, but it was cut down in 1715 to fit through the doors of Amsterdam's town hall. It has also been vandalised multiple times, including two knife attacks and an acid attack, but restorations have been able to repair the damage.
