The Night Watch — Amsterdam, Netherlands — 1642 — Questions and answers

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Why is the painting called 'The Night Watch' even though it takes place in daylight?

Choices

  1. It was originally painted at night by candlelight.
  2. Centuries of dirt and varnish made the scene look dark, like nighttime. ✓
  3. Rembrandt wanted to trick people into thinking it was a night scene.
  4. The militia company only worked at night.

Answer: Centuries of dirt and varnish made the scene look dark, like nighttime.

From page 1

What kind of portrait did Captain Frans Banninck Cocq commission Rembrandt to paint?

Choices

  1. A portrait of his family at home.
  2. A group portrait of his militia company. ✓
  3. A painting of a still life with fruit.
  4. A landscape painting of Amsterdam.

Answer: A group portrait of his militia company.

From page 3

Why were some of the militiamen unhappy with 'The Night Watch'?

Choices

  1. They didn't like the colors Rembrandt used.
  2. They thought the painting was too small.
  3. They were upset that some figures were hidden in shadow and not prominently displayed. ✓
  4. They wanted a painting of a different scene.

Answer: They were upset that some figures were hidden in shadow and not prominently displayed.

From page 6

What happened to 'The Night Watch' in 1715 when it was moved to the Amsterdam Town Hall?

Choices

  1. It was given a new frame.
  2. It was drastically trimmed on all four sides to fit the wall. ✓
  3. It was repainted with brighter colors.
  4. It was stolen by art thieves.

Answer: It was drastically trimmed on all four sides to fit the wall.

From page 7

Who attacked 'The Night Watch' in 1975?

Choices

  1. An angry art critic
  2. A Dutch schoolteacher ✓
  3. A famous artist
  4. An unemployed shoemaker

Answer: A Dutch schoolteacher

From page 8

What did conservators do after 'The Night Watch' was vandalized?

Choices

  1. They threw the painting away.
  2. They replaced the damaged parts with new paintings.
  3. They meticulously cleaned, repaired, and retouched the damaged areas. ✓
  4. They hid the painting so no one could see it again.

Answer: They meticulously cleaned, repaired, and retouched the damaged areas.

From page 9

Where can you see 'The Night Watch' today?

Choices

  1. The Louvre Museum in Paris
  2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
  3. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam ✓
  4. The British Museum in London

Answer: The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

From page 10