' The Shooting Company of Frans Banning Cocq
and Willem van Ruytenburch '
When we planned to visit families in Helsinki and Houston in 2017, I selected Amsterdam as the Airport to disembark in Europe not only for its connectivity, but also for a visit to Rijks and Van Gogh Museums as well as a boat-ride in its canals.
Rijks Museum allows photography without flash, hence we could bring camera-load of memories . This time, I decided that I shall take snaps of parts the large paintings displayed so that I can study the details later on a computer screen. To get an opportunity to click a straight photo , without watchers' heads obstructing the view, was never easy. Not having enough elbow-room, in some cases, caused framing of selected portions improper.
'Night Watch' was painted in 1642 AD by Rembrandt . The painting was commissioned by the Klovenier company under the command of Frans Banning Cocq and used to be displayed at Kloveniersdoelen [ ' musketeers' shooting range' ] till 1715 AD. In 1715 AD, it was shifted to the Amsterdam Town Hall when its all four sides were trimmed. Its current size is 11.91 ft X 14.34 ft .
Rembrandt's painting stand out for two reasons : perception of movement of the group and effective use of light & shade. it is stated that for quite a long time, the painting had a coat of dark varnish, giving a wrong impression that Rembrandt painted a night scene, hence the name 'The Night Watch'.
There are paragraphs written about the mystery girl in this painting, highlighted by sunlight and shade. She holds a dead chicken in her hand, representing a defeated adversary. Does she have any resemblance with Rembrandt's wife whom he lost before he started the painting ? There are more symbols associated with her depiction. Interested reader may pl refer to : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Watch.
and Willem van Ruytenburch '
Visitors' movement in the hall where 'Night Watch' is displayed.
View of a bridge across a canal :
Photo taken during our boat-ride in Amsterdam.
Rijks Museum allows photography without flash, hence we could bring camera-load of memories . This time, I decided that I shall take snaps of parts the large paintings displayed so that I can study the details later on a computer screen. To get an opportunity to click a straight photo , without watchers' heads obstructing the view, was never easy. Not having enough elbow-room, in some cases, caused framing of selected portions improper.
The full picture from as close a position as possible.
The lighting very aesthetically accentuates the painter's highlighting.
'Night Watch' was painted in 1642 AD by Rembrandt . The painting was commissioned by the Klovenier company under the command of Frans Banning Cocq and used to be displayed at Kloveniersdoelen [ ' musketeers' shooting range' ] till 1715 AD. In 1715 AD, it was shifted to the Amsterdam Town Hall when its all four sides were trimmed. Its current size is 11.91 ft X 14.34 ft .
Captain Frans Banning Cocq , dressed in black, with a red sash, and his lieutenant
Willem van Ruytenburch, dressed in yellow, with a white sash.
Who is the 'mystery' girl in this painting ?
