"The Night Watch" at the Baroque Period.
In 17 ~ 18th, there is the baroque period that is a movement in European culture. "Violent movement, strong emotion, and dramatic lighting and coloring" are main points of the baroque. (Bazin 5) Besides, it could be identified that Renaissance period concentrate on harmony, on the other hand, the Baroque period concentrated on expression of power rather than harmony or balance. In Baroque period, there was common view for several trends; it is expression of power instead of harmony of artworks. For example, according to Germain Bazin, the painting of baroque in the work of Rembrandt, or Caravaggio have tendency to get the darkness painting method and be varied characteristic with dark, lights and reflected lights or be replaced altogether by "a gray neutral background or a landscape." (5) For instance, the Dutch painters worked were different from works in the other countries. The Dutch painter had a certain amount of freedom with respect to the artist relationship. Especially, Rembrandt van Rijn(1606-1669) who is one of the important baroque Dutch artists and he technically painted with the purpose of giving impression on it. (Bazin 6) Besides, he might push his ideal and mind arise though his painting. According to Bazin, Rembrandt began to paint in 1623 and also, Rembrandt's style could be classified as the High Baroque with the subjects depicted as having "splendor and enjoying life." His painting "The Night Watch" is one of great works at Baroque period. .
"The Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq" became known as "The Night Watch", one of Rembrandt's masterpieces was created in 1642. It is a group portrait of a company of civil guards under the command of Cocq and his lieutenant. This painting was successful and classified as Baroque. Also, this work is Rembrandt's most celebrated work. Rembrandt showed Cocq and his men in motion. That is that his lances are askew, muskets are out of order, and he projects a sense of the vitality of his mission.
