Manhood, Marriage, and Mischief

Exploring the comic and ironic elements of seventeenth-century Dutch group portraits, this study delves into the social dynamics of husbands and civic members depicted in these artworks. It examines Rembrandt's subversive touches in The Night Watch, questioning the awareness of patrons regarding the anomalies in their portrayal. By analyzing the genre's aesthetic structure, the role of civic guard companies, and the impact of a mercantile economy on family dynamics, the book reveals layers of competitive posing and performance anxiety, culminating in a dual interpretation of Rembrandt's work as both a parody of and by the sitters.