The Night Watch

"The Night Watch," officially titled "Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq," is a 1642 painting by Rembrandt van Rijn, commissioned by the Amsterdam civic guard. The work is renowned for its dramatic use of light and shadow, as well as its dynamic composition, which broke from the traditional static group portraiture of the time.

Rembrandt's "The Night Watch," measuring 363 cm by 437 cm, is a dynamic group portrait depicting Captain Frans Banning Cocq and his company of civic guards, characterized by its dramatic use of chiaroscuro and a complex composition that conveys movement and depth. The painting's rich palette and intricate details, such as the play of light on the figures' faces and the varied textures of their attire, exemplify Rembrandt's mastery in capturing both individual likenesses and a cohesive narrative scene.