Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Rembrandt’s masterpiece “The Night Watch” is one of the most famous and admired paintings in the world. The colossal canvas, measuring nearly 12 by 15 feet, depicts a group of Dutch militia men in a dramatic and dynamic scene, illuminated by Rembrandt’s masterful use of light and shadow.
But there is more to “The Night Watch” than meets the eye. A recent study, published in the journal Science Advances, revealed that the painting hides a secret layer under its surface, which was detected by using X-rays and other advanced techniques. This layer, which is rich in lead, was applied by Rembrandt as a primer to protect the canvas from moisture and to enhance the colors of the paint.
This discovery is part of a major research and conservation project, called Operation Night Watch, which aims to unravel the mysteries and secrets of Rembrandt’s masterpiece. The project, which began in 2019, is carried out by a team of experts from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where the painting is on display, in collaboration with other institutions and universities.
The project involves scanning the painting with high-resolution cameras, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, optical coherence tomography and 3D digital reconstructions, among other methods. The data collected from these scans are then analyzed by artificial intelligence algorithms, which help to identify the materials, techniques and changes that Rembrandt used in his painting.
One of the most surprising findings of the project was the presence of a lead-rich layer under the paint layer, which was never seen before in Rembrandt’s works. This layer, which is about 0.1 millimeter thick, was applied by Rembrandt directly on the canvas, without using a glue layer, which was the common practice at the time.
The researchers suspect that Rembrandt chose to use lead as a primer because it had several advantages. First, it could protect the canvas from the humidity of the environment where the painting was hung, which was a musketeers’ shooting range in Amsterdam. Second, it could speed up the drying process of the paint, which was important for such a large and complex painting. Third, it could enhance the brightness and contrast of the colors, creating a more vivid and dramatic effect.
The researchers believe that Rembrandt may have been inspired by a publication about the chemistry of painting, written by a Swiss physician named Théodore de Mayern, who suggested using lead as a primer for canvases exposed to dampness. Rembrandt was known to be interested in scientific and technical innovations, and he may have experimented with this new method to achieve his artistic vision.
The discovery of the lead layer sheds new light on Rembrandt’s creative process and his mastery of materials and techniques. It also shows that “The Night Watch” is not only a masterpiece of art, but also a masterpiece of science.
“The Night Watch” is a painting that never ceases to amaze and inspire. With the help of modern technology and science, we can now appreciate it even more, and discover new aspects of Rembrandt’s genius.
