Read, Watch or Listen

Research reveals Rembrandt's iconic painting, 'The Night Watch,' incorporates a dog largely copied from a 17th-century guide on resisting temptation. Rijksmuseum experts claim this wasn't plagiarism, but 'emulation,' a common practice among artists of the time to learn and improve upon existing works. Curator Anne Lenders identified the source during a museum visit, noting similarities between the dog in the painting and a drawing by Adriaen van de Venne. Rembrandt adapted the dog, giving it a more active pose, demonstrating his creative process. This discovery highlights the artistic context of the time, where copying served as a means of artistic development.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.