Rembrandt

The subject is sitting slightly turned to the right. He is clad in a lavish black garment and hat with a black feather. Around his neck he wears a metal collar that sits to the middle of his chest. In addition he sports a gold, jewel encrusted necklace worn just below the metal shield-like object as well as a gold earring with a precious stone. The sitter's facial features are illustrated with extreme precision and detail on every wrinkle, fold, and hair - creating a naturalistic expression. It was this style that aided in Rembrandt's fame in such a short time frame. .
             Although Rembrandt had gained entry into Amsterdam through portraiture, he did not sacrifice his intention of becoming a history painter. He initially continued to paint the small biblical panels that had brought him distinction in Leiden, but by 1635 he had developed new specialties in mythological subjects and large, dramatic biblical scenes. Rembrandt's new approach in history painting must have contributed greatly to his financial and social success.
             Between 1638-1640 Rembrandt received a commission to paint the militia company of Captain Frans Cocq and Lieutenant Wilhem van Ruytengurgh. The resulting painting, The Nightwatch is his most well-known painting. The portrait was for the great hall of the Kloveniersdoelen, an elegant new meeting place of the Kloveniers. The decoration of the hall was the most prestigious of the decade. Aside from the subject matter of The Nightwatch, its color palette and spatial composition posed as a major transitional point in Rembrandt's work. The intense reddish-yellow had never been used in his earlier paintings. During the forties and early fifties Rembrandt's palette warmed up significantly - perhaps by the influence of the landscapist Goyen, who frequently used a monochromatic golden tonality.
             Rembrandt's style remained the same for about a decade after The Nightwatch, during which many painters copied his color scheme that boosted their recognition as well.