The Night Watch
Rembrandt van Rijn · 1642
Oil on canvas
Quick answer
The Night Watch (1642) by Rembrandt van Rijn is in Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The Night Watch is a large oil painting by Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn, completed in 1642. It depicts a group portrait of a company of Amsterdam militia (city guards) led by Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and his lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburch. The painting is the centrepiece of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and is one of the most celebrated examples of Dutch Golden Age painting. Despite its name, it depicts a daytime scene — the "night" in the title is a later misidentification caused by centuries of darkened varnish. World Museum Guide explains what you're looking at and how to see it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is The Night Watch?
The Night Watch is the centrepiece of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, displayed in the Gallery of Honour (Room 2.9). The Rijksmuseum redesigned this room specifically around the painting during its major 2013 renovation. The museum is at Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam.
Why is it called The Night Watch if it's daytime?
The title is a misnomer that became fixed in the 19th century, when centuries of yellowed varnish made the painting appear to depict a night scene. In fact it portrays a daytime scene. A cleaning campaign in the 1940s revealed the true daylight conditions, but by then the name "The Night Watch" was too well established to change.
Was The Night Watch ever damaged?
Yes, three times. In 1911, a sacked cook slashed it with a knife — the damage was repaired. In 1975, a man attacked it with a bread knife, making 12 deep slashes — the damage was repaired but remains detectable under certain lighting. In 1990, a visitor squirted acid at it — security guards responded quickly, limiting the damage, which was later repaired.
How many people are in The Night Watch?
The current painting shows 34 figures (including adults, children, and a dog) in the frame. The original, before it was trimmed in the 18th century, included at least 2 more figures on the left — visible in a 17th-century copy that predates the trimming.
Who paid for The Night Watch?
The painting was a group commission — each militia member paid a sum proportional to their prominence in the portrait, ranging from 100 to 1,200 guilders. Captain Frans Banninck Cocq was the primary patron. Some subjects reportedly complained that Rembrandt had subordinated their likenesses to dramatic effect, placing some in shadow.