Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (Leiden, 1606 - Amsterdam, 1669) was a Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest painters and etchers in European art, and as the most important Dutch master of the 17th century. Rembrandt made a total of about three hundred paintings, three hundred etchings and two thousand drawings. His remarkable mastery of the play with light and dark, often using sharp contrasts (chiaroscuro) to introduce the viewer into the performance, led to lively scenes full of drama.
The Night Watch
One of Rembrandt's most famous paintings is the Night Watch, or rather: The company of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburgh is preparing to march out.
The Night Watch is a militia piece that was completed in 1642. The painting is the property of the Municipality of Amsterdam and has been part of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam since 1808. The canvas shows the two shooters from the title, accompanied by other militia members, as well as some extras, as they line up. The Night Watch is one of the most famous paintings in the world.
The painting is very large and hangs in the hall of honor of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Today the painting measures: 379.5 cm x 453.5 cm. Without frame, the painting weighs 170 kg, with frame 337 kg.
Museum webshop products
In our webshop we have depicted many products with the Night Watch on them. Many products were created in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum.
