In Rembrandt’s composition, the seven spectators are placed in the left half of the picture: only the lecturer Dr Tulp stands on the right. The corpse is placed diagonally in the painting. // 1

In the background to the right, Hartman Hartmanszoon holds a piece of paper where the names of the seven observers are written. // 2

Behind stands Frans van Loenen, who looks out at us and appears to direct our attention as viewers to the actual dissection. // 3

To the left stands Adriaan Slabberaan, who casts a glance at the open textbook on the far right side of the painting. One gets the distinct feeling that he is about to look back at the prepared body after having checked how this is described in the book. // 4

To the far left is the portrait of Jacob Koolvelt which was added later. He looks straight at Dr Tulp and appears to be listening to what is being said. Some think that someone other than Rembrandt added his portrait later. // 5

Matthijs Calkoen, the red-haired surgeon nearest Dr Tulp, is staring intensely at Tulp’s left hand. // 6

Jacob Block, behind him, is doing likewise, while Jacob de Wit is bending forward to see the dissected corpse that Dr Tulp is lecturing about. // 7, 8