The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn

The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn

CIRCA: 1642

I've had this print for a long time. It's a pretty large print, although not as big as the original. Currently the print is hanging in my garage.

There is a lot going on here.

The basics of the painting:
A group portrait of a company of civic guardsmen.

"According to tradition, these assembly halls were decorated with group portraits of its most distinguished members, which served not only to record the likenesses of these citizens, but more importantly to assert the power and individuality of the city that they defended."

This company was under the command of Captain Frans Banning Cocq, who holds a prominent position in the center foreground of the image. He is the one wearing black and a red sash. Also note his lace collar signifying his upper class status.

Next to him is, his lieutenant, Willem van Ruytenburgh, who turns to acknowledge his orders.

There are 3 musketeers.. "just behind the captain and lieutenant where they carry out in sequential order the basic steps involved in properly handling a musket. First, on the left, a musketeer dressed all in red, charges his weapon by pouring powder into the muzzle. Next, a rather small figure wearing a helmet adorned with oak leaves fires his weapon to the right. Finally, the man behind the lieutenant clears the pan by blowing off the residual powder."

If I understand this correctly the ghostly looking lady is not an actual person, rather a symbol of this watch. She has certain symbolism such as the chicken in her belt.

Rembrandt was ahead of his time. From what I was reading, before this painting, these type were done with people all in a row. This painting has action and a lot of different messages.

NIGHT WATCH- NOT CORRECT TITLE
"The so-called Night Watch is not a night scene at all; it actually takes place during the day. This title, which was not given by the artist, was first applied at the end of the eighteenth century. By that time the painting had darkened considerably through the accumulation of many layers of dirt and varnish, giving the appearance that the event takes place at night."

There is so much more...I will provide a link in the comments to a site that describes everything going on.

I also will include a link to the museum with a super high resolution link to the actual masterpiece.