Art
The Rijksmuseum celebrates Frans Hals
There is a large exhibition on Frans Hals (1582/84-1666) in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. photo
© Robin Van Lonkhuijsen/anp/dpa
He is considered a master of laughter, his brushstrokes appear almost impressionistic: Amsterdam is dedicating a large show to the Dutch painter Frans Hals, which will also be coming to Berlin in the summer.
After more than 30 years, the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum is dedicating a major solo exhibition to one of the great masters of the 17th century: Frans Hals (1582/84 -1666). The Dutch master was a great innovator in painting, especially through his loose, almost impressionistic brushwork. “Hals, along with Rembrandt and Vermeer, is one of the Big Three of the 17th century,” said the museum’s curator, Friso Lammertse, to the German Press Agency on Tuesday in Amsterdam. He has a very original style and masterful technique.
The loose brushstroke is characteristic of Hals. If you get up close, the precious lace collars or sparkling eyes are actually made of almost carelessly applied rough brushstrokes. “The people he painted seem alive,” said Lammertse. “They are almost snapshots.” Hals captured people in motion, in the middle of a game or laughing. Hals was one of the few artists of the time to also paint laughing people. This was not only unusual, but also difficult. To this day he is considered a “master of laughter,” said the curator.
Frans Hals was born in Antwerp and fled with his parents from the war to the rich merchant city of Haarlem Amsterdam. There he established himself as a portrait painter. He often painted rich rulers and powerful merchants with their wives, as was the fashion at the time. It paid well, and Hals needed the money badly. He had to support a large family with around 14 children. He was to suffer from financial difficulties all his life. Hals fell into oblivion in the 18th century, but was only rediscovered late in the 19th century and also inspired many impressionists.
But portraits were also the painter’s passion. He painted children, musicians, jugglers. These include “Malle Babbe”, the crazy Barbara, or the cheerful “Lute Player”, who looks mischievously to the side. And his models still appear fresh and lively today. If you take away the ancient collars, hoods and hats, then they are people of today.
In the spacious, elegant halls of the Rijksmuseum, 48 paintings by Hals can be seen until June – portraits, children’s paintings, group paintings. They are mostly on loan from large international collections. The exhibition was organized together with the National Gallery in London as well as the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin and the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem. It has already been seen in London. It will also be shown in Berlin from July.