A recent study has unveiled a fascinating connection between the dog featured in Rembrandt van Rijn’s 1642 painting, “The Night Watch,” and a historical illustration from a popular book. Research indicates that the canine depicted in the masterpiece was inspired by an engraving from a work on the temptations of the flesh, created by the Dutch artist and poet Adriaen van de Venne.
The revelation comes as “The Night Watch” is undergoing restoration at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Curator Anne Lenders discovered the resemblance while visiting an exhibition on Van de Venne at the Zeeuws Museum in Middelburg last year. Lenders noted, “As soon as I saw that dog, ‘The Night Watch’ dog came into my mind — I recognized it by the turn of the head.”
Further investigation into the artwork, which included macro X-ray fluorescence scans of an underdrawing, confirmed the similarity between the dogs. In the final version of the painting, Rembrandt positioned the dog on all fours, adding a tongue to suggest it was barking at a large drum. Lenders remarked, “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.”
Rembrandt’s collection included many of Van de Venne’s prints, and Lenders pointed out that another figure in the same illustration bears a resemblance to elements found in Rembrandt’s 1655 work, “Joseph Accused by Potiphar’s Wife,” which resides at the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin.
The director of the Rijksmuseum, Taco Dibbits, elaborated on the traditional practices of artists in Rembrandt’s time. He explained that what contemporary audiences might perceive as “copying” was a common part of an artist’s training and a mark of scholarly achievement. “He didn’t want people to call him Rembrandt van Rijn, but just Rembrandt, like Michelangelo,” Dibbits stated. “And he really wanted, just like the Italians, to be that learned artist who based himself on prints from his predecessors, who could copy so incredibly well and know them so intimately that he developed them further.”
The findings highlight the intricate connections between artists and their influences, showcasing how historical works can shape and inform contemporary masterpieces. As the restoration of “The Night Watch” continues, this research not only enriches our understanding of Rembrandt’s techniques but also casts new light on the artistic traditions of the 17th century.
