Rembrandt’s The Night Watch Dog Inspired by Lesser-Known Artist’s Work

september 23, 2025

Amsterdam – New findings suggest that Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, the celebrated Dutch golden Age painter, drew inspiration from a lesser-known contemporary for a key element in his masterpiece, The Night Watch. The revelation centers around a dog depicted in the famed 1642 painting, with experts identifying striking similarities to a canine illustration created by Adriaen van de Venne.

The Unexpected Inspiration Behind “The Night Watch”

Curator Anne Lenders, of the Rijksmuseum, uncovered the connection while visiting an exhibition at the Zeeuws Museum in Middelburg last year. Lenders noted the resemblance between the dog in Rembrandt’s work and a drawing gracing the title page of a 17th-century book offering guidance on resisting sexual temptation. The illustration, created by van de Venne, appears to be a mirror image of the dog in The Night Watch.

The canine figure in the Night Watch shares a striking resemblance to a drawing by Adriaen van de Venne. Photograph: Rijksmuseum

Further examination of the chalk underdrawing of The Night Watch, revealed through recent high-tech scanning, corroborated the similarities. Rembrandt, though, did not merely copy the image. He altered the dog’s pose, depicting it in a more active position and adding the detail of a protruding tongue – an anatomical inaccuracy, according to Taco Dibbits, General Director of the Rijksmuseum.

Emulation vs. Plagiarism: A Past Perspective

Dibbits explained that borrowing from existing works was common practice among artists during Rembrandt’s time. He made a comparison to William Shakespeare, whose plays also often drew from earlier sources. “It was not considered plagiarism, but rather ’emulation’,” he stated. “The intention was to learn from and build upon the work of predecessors, competing with masters like Raphael, Titian, and Michelangelo.” This practice was seen as a vital part of artistic development, and a means to hone one’s own craft.

Rembrandt’s inclusion of the barking dog, despite its anatomical improbability, served to inject energy and excitement into that section of the painting. “It is engaging how [Rembrandt] put him in a corner in the shadows, to make it more exciting and insert a moment of action,” Lenders commented.

Artist	Artwork	Date	Key Feature
Rembrandt van Rijn	The night Watch	1642	Canine figure in the right-hand corner
Adriaen van de Venne	Illustration for a book on moral guidance	17th Century	Canine illustration on the title page

Born in Delft in 1589, Van de Venne was a prolific artist of the Dutch Golden Age, achieving considerable popularity. His collaborations with the poet and thinker Jacob Cats, known for his moralistic Emblem books, contributed to his widespread recognition.

The Enduring Legacy of Rembrandt

Rembrandt van Rijn remains one of the most notable figures in art history. His mastery of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, revolutionized painting techniques and continues to influence artists today. His portraits and biblical scenes are renowned for their psychological depth and emotional intensity. The Rijksmuseum’s ongoing renovation of The Night Watch, employing cutting-edge technology, ensures that future generations will be able to appreciate the painting’s brilliance. According to Statista, in 2023, the art market reached a global revenue of approximately 67.8 billion U.S. dollars. Statista

Did You Know? Rembrandt was also a highly successful printmaker, producing over 300 etchings, many of which are considered masterpieces in their own right.

Pro Tip: When visiting art museums, take the time to examine the underdrawings of paintings; they often reveal fascinating insights into the artist’s process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rembrandt and “The Night Watch”

• What is “emulation” in the context of art? Emulation, as practiced during the Dutch Golden Age, refers to the deliberate study and adaptation of earlier artworks as a means of learning and improving one’s own skills.
• Who was Adriaen van de Venne? Van de Venne was a versatile Dutch Golden Age painter known for his collaborations with the poet Jacob Cats.
• What is chiaroscuro? Chiaroscuro is a painting technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create dramatic effects.
• Why is “The Night Watch” so famous? The Night Watch is celebrated for its innovative composition, dramatic lighting, and realistic depiction of a civic militia group.
• What is the importance of the dog in “The Night Watch?” The dog,while seemingly minor,adds a dynamic element to the composition and contributes to the overall sense of action and realism.
• How has technology aided in understanding Rembrandt’s work? High-tech scanning techniques have revealed details of the underdrawings, providing invaluable insights into Rembrandt’s creative process.
• What is being done to preserve The Night Watch? The Rijksmuseum is undertaking a public renovation of the painting, utilizing advanced conservation methods to ensure its long-term preservation.

What are your thoughts on the idea of artists drawing inspiration from each other’s work? Do you believe that “emulation” is a form of artistic flattery or a potential source of plagiarism?

Share your opinions and join the conversation!

How did frans Pietersz de Grebber’s approach to depicting civic guard companies differ from earlier traditions, and how might this have influenced Rembrandt’s composition in *The Night Watch*?

Rembrandt’s The Night Watch Dog: Unveiling the Influence of Frans Pietersz de Grebber

For centuries, Rembrandt van Rijn’s The Night Watch (officially Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq) has captivated audiences wiht its dramatic composition and masterful use of light and shadow. But a growing body of art ancient research suggests the iconic painting wasn’t born in a vacuum. Specifically, the dynamic group portraiture and inclusion of a prominent canine figure may have been significantly inspired by the work of Frans Pietersz de Grebber, a lesser-known contemporary of Rembrandt. This article delves into the compelling evidence linking The Night Watch to de Grebber’s earlier civic guard paintings, exploring how a fellow artist’s innovations possibly shaped one of the most famous paintings in history.

Frans Pietersz de grebber: A Pioneer of Dynamic group Portraits

Frans Pietersz de Grebber (1572-1640) was a Haarlem-based painter specializing in large-scale group portraits of civic militia companies – a popular commission during the Dutch Golden Age. While often overshadowed by Rembrandt, de Grebber was a highly sought-after artist in his time, known for his ability to depict numerous figures in a lively, engaging manner.

Key characteristics of de Grebber’s style that foreshadow elements in The Night Watch include:

* Dynamic Composition: De Grebber moved away from the static, regimented rows of figures common in earlier civic guard portraits. He introduced a sense of movement and activity, depicting militiamen seemingly in the midst of preparing for or returning from duty.

* Narrative Elements: His paintings weren’t simply records of who was in the company; they told a story. This narrative approach is strikingly similar to Rembrandt’s dramatic interpretation of the scene.

* Animal Inclusion: De Grebber frequently included dogs in his militia portraits, often prominently featured and interacting with the figures. This was relatively unusual at the time and likely influenced Rembrandt’s decision to include a dog in The Night Watch.

The Canine connection: A Shared Artistic motif

The dog in The Night Watch is a especially intriguing point of comparison. It’s not merely a background detail; it’s a fully realized character, alert and engaged with the scene. This treatment of an animal within a formal portrait is unusual for the period.

Consider thes points:

* Precedent in De Grebber’s Work: De Grebber consistently included dogs in his civic guard paintings,often placing them in the foreground and giving them a degree of prominence. These dogs weren’t simply pets; they were symbolic of loyalty, vigilance, and the company’s protective role.

* Symbolic Significance: Dogs held various symbolic meanings in 17th-century dutch culture, including fidelity, watchfulness, and courage – all qualities associated with the civic guard. Both artists likely leveraged these associations.

* Compositional Role: In both de Grebber’s and Rembrandt’s paintings, the dog serves a compositional function, drawing the viewer’s eye and adding a sense of life and energy to the scene.

Analyzing the paintings: Visual Parallels and Influences

A direct comparison of de Grebber’s banquet of the Officers of the St George militia Company in 1616 and The Night Watch reveals striking similarities beyond the presence of dogs.

* Overlapping Figures: both paintings feature figures overlapping and interacting with each other,creating a sense of depth and dynamism. This was a departure from the more static arrangements of earlier group portraits.

* Use of Light and Shadow: While Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro is far more dramatic, de Grebber also employed light and shadow to highlight key figures and create a sense of atmosphere.

* Gestural Communication: Both artists utilize gestures and facial expressions to convey the personalities and roles of the individuals depicted.

It’s critically important to note that influence isn’t necessarily about direct copying. Rembrandt was a highly innovative artist, and The Night Watch is a masterpiece in its own right. however, acknowledging de Grebber’s contributions provides a richer understanding of the painting’s historical context and artistic advancement.

The Historical Context: Artistic Competition and Innovation

The Dutch Golden age was a period of intense artistic competition. Artists were constantly striving to innovate and outdo their rivals. Rembrandt and de Grebber were both working in Haarlem and Amsterdam during this time, and it’s highly likely they were aware of each other’s work.

* Civic Guard Commissions: Both artists regularly received commissions from civic guard companies, creating a direct professional overlap.

* Artistic Circles: They likely moved within similar artistic circles and would have been exposed to the same ideas and trends.

* Responding to Precedent: Artists frequently enough respond to the work of their predecessors and contemporaries, building upon existing traditions and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Discover Rembrandt and explore the Dutch Masters

To further explore Rembrandt’s life and work, including The Night Watch, visit Discover Rembrandt. This complete resource offers a detailed overview of his complete oeuvre and provides valuable insights into the