Masterpiece

Rembrandt

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, better known by his first name Rembrandt, is the most famous of the Dutch Golden Age painters, and one of the greatest artists of all time. His best known works are his portraits (including many self portraits) and his group portraits. He also created beautiful etchings, often of biblical subjects.

The night watch

The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch, better known as The night watch, is Rembrandt's masterpiece. It is a militia painting, but quite unlike the many other militia paintings from this era. Militia paintings are usually static, with people standing in rows, or seated at a banquet. The night watch is dynamic, a group of men in action. Also special is the lightning, effectively used to draw attention to Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch in the centre, and the girl on the left.

Due to the darkening over time of the varnish on the painting's surface, the painting looked like a night scene - hence its nickname night watch. The darkened varnish has been removed in the 1940s.

The night watch is on permanent display in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.