Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)
What we learned-
- The painting was commissioned by Captain Frans Banning Cocq and 33 members of his company to hang in the dining hall of the Arquebusiers (the name of their company).
- The lighting leads the eye to the three most important people in the picture: the captain, his lieutenant and the little girl who is holding the symbols of the Arquebusiers (chicken claws on her belt and the militia’s goblet).
- Rembrandt, a leader in the Dutch Golden Age, is still regarded as one of the most important painters in history (especially in Dutch history).
Discussion Questions:
- As this is a painting commissioned by a large group, are there any other groups (historically or currently) who Rembrandt could have portrayed in a similar fashion?
- What did Rembrandt use in his painting to draw attention and acclaim to his subjects?
