New Research Reveals Dog in Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’ Inspired by Book
Research into the iconic painting “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt van Rijn has uncovered a fascinating connection between the artwork and a widely available book. The investigation suggests that the dog featured in the painting was inspired by an illustration from a title page of a book on the temptations of the flesh, created by Dutch artist and poet Adriaen van de Venne. This revelation comes as the painting undergoes a public restoration at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Curator of 17th-century Dutch paintings at the Rijksmuseum, Anne Lenders, made the connection during a visit to an exhibition on van de Venne at the Zeeuws Museum in Middelburg last year. Upon seeing the illustration, she immediately recognized the resemblance to the dog in “The Night Watch.” “As soon as I saw that dog, ‘The Night Watch’ dog came into my mind,” Lenders stated. She observed that the angle of the dog’s head closely mirrored that of the one depicted in van de Venne’s work.
Further analysis of the painting revealed deeper similarities. Using macro X-ray fluorescence scans, researchers identified a chalk underdrawing that showed even more parallels between the two animals. In his final depiction, Rembrandt positioned the dog on all fours and added a tongue, suggesting it was barking at the massive drum present in the scene. Lenders noted, “It’s very clever how Rembrandt adjusted his dog, putting it in an active stance, vigilant and alert. At any moment, his dog could run away, and this strengthens the living quality of the painting.”
This connection highlights Rembrandt’s extensive collection of van de Venne’s prints, which Lenders emphasized. Additionally, she pointed out that a figure from the same illustration bears resemblance to another of Rembrandt’s works, “Joseph Accused by Potiphar’s Wife,” painted in 1655 and housed in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin.
The director of the Rijksmuseum, Taco Dibbits, elaborated on the artistic practices of the time, noting that what modern viewers might call “copying” was actually a vital part of an artist’s training. “He didn’t want people to call him Rembrandt van Rijn, but just Rembrandt, like Michelangelo,” Dibbits explained. He emphasized that Rembrandt sought to emulate the Italian masters, demonstrating a deep understanding of their works and advancing them through his own interpretation.
This new insight into “The Night Watch” not only enriches our understanding of Rembrandt’s artistic process but also illustrates the interconnectedness of artists through history. As the restoration continues at the Rijksmuseum, the painting remains an enduring symbol of creativity and innovation, revealing the layers of inspiration that influenced its creation.
