Although it is known as The Night Watch, the original title of the work is The Military Company of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburgh, as after its restoration in 1947 and the removal of the dark varnish, it was discovered that the title did not correspond to reality due to the fact that the action takes place during the day. The work, commissioned by the Harquebusier’s Guild, depicts the captain giving the order to march with the ensign, accompanied by 18 men. The action depicted by Rembrandt was the task of these groups of civilian soldiers in defending the city from attack.
Collection: Images
Project: 3. Rural world and urban world in the formation of the European identity., 6. Under a cloak of terror: violence and armed conflict in Europe., 7. Persecuted by justice and powers: rebels, political dissidents and criminals in the history of Europe.
Chronology: XVII
Scope: Secondary education, Baccalaureate, University
Link: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-C-5
Resource type: Image
Format: Oil on canvas (379,5 x 453,5 cm)
Source: Rijksmuseum (Ámsterdam)
Language: English
Date: 1642
Owner: Álvaro Romero González (Modernalia)
Identifier: SK-C-5
Copyright: Rijksmuseum (Ámsterdam)
Abstract: A scene of civic surveillance in the city of Amsterdam in the 17th century
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