Abstract

It is required to consider certain criteria to make a technical analysis of a painting. These criteria are categorized under two types of analysis: iconographic analysis to explain identity information of a painting, and plastic analysis. In technical analysis used to determine the aesthetic value of a work of art, the first step is to provide iconographic information about a work. This information includes name of the artist, name of the work of art, date of the work, theme of the work, characteristics of the period or school in which the work was produced, technique of the work, dimensions of the work and the collection or museum where the work is exhibited. Iconographic analysis is followed by plastic analysis. The plastic analysis of a work of art is a method used to find out how the concepts of composition, construction and space are used within the frame of plastic principles, i.e. balance, direction and movement and plastic elements, i.e. color, form and light and to explain their roles and importance in composition. The aim of this study is to make an aesthetic analysis of Rembrandt’s Jan Van Rijn’s “The Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq”, mostly known as “The Night Watch”, which is acknowledged as a masterpiece.