A moment in time

Rembrandt depicted the group of militia men in an original way. In Rembrandt's Night Watch, the militia men are milling around. They are talking and holding their weapons. Already on the move, Captain Banning Cocq is issuing orders to his lieutenant, Van Ruytenburch, for the company to march. It looks like a snapshot of a group in action rather than a posed portrait. This is what makes the Night Watch so radically different from other militia paintings.

Light and shade

The contrasts between light and shade in the painting enhance the feeling of action and movement. Rembrandt has used the fall of the light to focus attention on the most important figures: the captain (Banning Cocq) and the lieutenant (Van Ruytenburch).

The names of the eighteen militiamen portrayed in the painting are on a shield above the gate. A company comprised more members, but only those who paid were included in the group portrait. The drummer was hired and was therefore allowed to be in the painting for free. Rembrandt added the others to enliven the painting. Three people on the left of the picture disappeared in the eighteenth century when part of the canvas was cut off. We are now only able to match a few names to the faces in the portrait.

The Nightwatch is on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The museum has acquired the painting in 1817.

Source: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam