Illuminating Rembrandt’s Chiaroscuro in The Night Watch: the painting process of Van Ruytenburch’s costume
This study examines Rembrandt's use of <i>chiaroscuro</i> to depict the costume of Lieutenant Willem Van Ruytenburch, a prominently lit figure in <i>The Night Watch</i> (1642). As part of <i>Operation Night Watch</i>, the painting was analyzed using noninvasive imaging techniques, including reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS), macroscopic X-ray powder diffraction (MA-XRPD), and macroscopic X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF). These methods enabled the mapping of the artist's pigment palette, which includes lead white, lead-tin yellow, ochres, vermilion, arsenic sulfide pigments, red lakes, smalt, and azurite. Rembrandt applied these pigments in a consistent, systematic way, combining them in groups to achieve pictorial unity. Notably, arsenic-based pigments were used to capture the warm reflections of gold threads, unique to Van Ruytenburch's costume. MA-XRPD also identified degradation products-mimetite, weddellite, and palmierite-associated with the original pigments. These results provide new insights into Rembrandt's modus operandi and inform understanding of the current condition and implications for its conservation.
Authors
- Steven De Meyer
- Inez Dorothé van der Werf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4065-3092)
- Mitra Almasian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8193-4221)
- Koen Janssens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6752-6408)
- Francesca Gabrieli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7510-8719)
- Petria Noble (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4419-4541)
- Nouchka De Keyser (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9819-1700)
- Arthur Gestels (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6878-2748)
- Erma Hermens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5763-9978)
- Katrien Keune (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9621-5430)
- Frederik Vanmeert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1238-0189)
- Fréderique Broers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6125-7702)
- Víctor García González (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1062-8059)
- Annelies van Loon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9950-7933)
Institutions
- Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (BE)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Rijksmuseum (NL)
- University of Antwerp (BE)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Université Paris-Saclay (FR)
- Antwerp Management School (BE)
- Cultural Heritage Agency of Netherlands (NL)
- Haga Hospital (NL)
- Conservation Leadership Programme (GB)
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers (NL)
- University of Amsterdam (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Heritage Science
- Published
- 2025-08-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-025-01874-w
- Primary Topic
- Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme