"Nightwatch after Rembrandt" by Caroline Hartman reimagines the Dutch master's iconic painting through the traditional medium of hand-painted Delft tiles. This monumental tableau transforms Rembrandt's dramatic grouping of civic guardsmen into a stunning ceramic interpretation rendered entirely in shades of cobalt blue and white. The intricate composition preserves the original's dynamic arrangement of figures emerging from shadow into light, with each of the 120 individual tiles contributing precise details that together capture the painting's remarkable depth, character expressions, and atmospheric perspective.

 

About Nightwatch after Rembrandt by Caroline Hartman

Created in 2023, this impressive ceramic tableau measures 68 inches wide by 57 inches high and weighs a substantial 250 pounds. Produced in collaboration with Royal Delft, the piece exemplifies the enduring legacy of Dutch artistic traditions through its marriage of fine art reproduction and skilled ceramic craftsmanship. Each hand-painted tile required meticulous technique to ensure that when assembled, the famous scene maintains its dramatic light effects and complex figurative composition. The work brings old-world elegance to contemporary spaces, its substantial presence and traditional blue and white palette creating a striking focal point that connects viewers to the rich cultural heritage of the Netherlands. When displayed, the piece commands attention while celebrating both Rembrandt's masterpiece and the centuries-old Dutch ceramic tradition that continues to resonate with collectors worldwide.