Visitors marvel at the the most famous piece in the Rijksmuseum: Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, Known as de ‘Night Watch’, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, 1642. Rembrandt’s largest, most famous canvas was made for the Arquebusiers guild hall. This was one of several halls of Amsterdam’s civic guard, the city’s militia and police. Rembrandt was the first to paint figures in a group portrait actually doing something. The captain, dressed in black, is telling his lieutenant to start the company marching. The guardsmen are getting into formation. Rembrandt used the light to focus on particular details, like the captain’s gesturing hand and the young girl in the foreground. She was the company mascot. Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam. Holland. Photograph by DAVID LEVENE 20 March 204
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam