What lives on The Night Watch? More than you might think! ARTIS-Micropia and the Rijksmuseum have joined forces to explore the invisible life on Rembrandt’s masterpiece.

In the new installation The Night Watch Comes Alive, you can discover which microbes inhabit the nearly 400-year-old painting. Alongside a life-size reproduction of The Night Watch, the first cultivated microbes are on display. From skin bacteria and soil-dwelling microorganisms to a remarkable bacterial species first discovered at a Japanese sugar refinery.

The research is part of Operation Night Watch, the largest research and restoration project ever undertaken on the painting. Over the coming months, new samples will be collected, and the installation will continue to grow as new scientific discoveries are made.

A remarkable collaboration between two Amsterdam museums that offers an entirely new perspective on Rembrandt’s masterpiece!

📅 11 November 2026 until the end of May 2027
📍 ARTIS-Micropia, Artisplein

A wonderful tip to share with your colleagues, guests and visitors!