Was The Night Watch rejected by the people who commissioned it?

No, The Night Watch was not rejected by the people who commissioned it. The idea that the painting was rejected is a long-standing myth that lacks historical evidence.1

In reality, the painting was paid for and remained on display in the location for which it was originally intended. The misconception likely arose from later criticisms of the work, such as those by Rembrandt’s former pupil, Samuel van Hoogstraten, who complained about the painting's lighting and the subordination of individual portraits to the overall composition. These retrospective critiques, combined with a general biographical narrative that sought to frame Rembrandt as a misunderstood genius, contributed to the false belief that the work was rejected by his patrons.12