Why It Still Matters

The Night Watch has anchored the Rijksmuseum since 1885 — the building was practically arranged around it. Its influence runs far past the gallery wall:

• It turned the group portrait from a static lineup into a story with a plot
• Its dramatic lighting foreshadowed the look of photography and cinema
• It draws huge crowds who line up just to stand in front of one canvas

Rembrandt set out to paint a militia heading off to march. What he left behind was a picture the world still can't stop looking at.