HALS, Frans
(b. 1580, Antwerpen, d. 1666, Haarlem)

Portrait of a Man

1634
Oil on canvas, 83 x 70 cm
Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest

This painting of an unidentified 26-yer-old man was cut down at all sides. The composition is closely related to that of several paintings by Hals from the 1630s also showing a man in three-quarter length, the right arm akimbo, a cloak hanging over the projecting left arm. This pose carries the suggestion of dignity combined with a somewhat flamboyant air. Hals also used this successful composition during the 1640s, and it was also one of the standard poses of Hals fellow townsman Jan Verspronck.

The painting is dated at the upper right part as "AETAT SVAE 28 / AN 1634".




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