The painting is of a captain and his crew. The man in the center is the captain and the center of attention. This man is meant to catch the viewer's eye. Next to him you see a man dressed in cream colors. He is a rank lower than the captain and is always by his side like you see in the movies. In his hand he has a weapon and he is talking to the captain. The man to the left of them is also holding a weapon. He is holding a gun and appears to be preparing for a battle. In the background you see a little girl dressed in bright colors. She has a fearful look on her face. Rembrandt dressed her in cream also to show the viewer the fear. Behind the captain you can see men getting read for battle and holding their flags high for pride. There is a man holding a drum which could mean that he is about to play the drums to battle.
Rembrandt learned to paint this style through Pieter Lastman. This is where he learned the powerful contrasts of light and dark. Rembrandt refused to do what was popular. He would paint the only way he could, the way he wanted it done. He uses a lot of red, black, brown, and cream. Not a lot of bright colors are used in this artwork, but there is just enough so that it still catches the eye. Rembrandt used his skills very well. He knew exactly how much color he should and should not use. That is what makes this painting so famous.
The tonal balance now works even better, in particular the way in which Banning Cocq in his dark suit is flanked by the two lightly coloured figures of the little girl with the chicken at her waist and Lt. Willem van Ruytenburch.
Title: "The Night Watch" Restored
Author: Unknown
Source: The Burlington Magazine, Vol. 118, No. 884 (Nov., 1976), pp. 731+781
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