The Duet

Molenaer has frequently been called Frans Hals's pupil, but the name of hi teacher has not been established. From the beginning he was equally at home depicting scenes illuminated by daylight or artificial light. However, unlike Judith Leyster, his later wife, he made no attempt to imitate Hals's vigorous, detached brushwork. To judge from their surviving works he began to make small pictures of full-length figures in interiors before Leyster did.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 15 minutes): Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata in A Major for flute and cembalo obligato, BWV 1032