Hals, Frans, << hahls, frahns >> (1580?-1666), was one of the finest Dutch portrait painters of the 1600’s. His portraits are known for showing lively expressions and poses. In his group portraits, the expressions and poses are coordinated to maintain the balance of the composition. He painted with bold, broad brushstrokes.
Hals used several kinds of subjects for his portraits, including individuals and married couples. He painted group portraits of civic guards (social organizations for men) and leaders of social welfare organizations. One of these paintings is Banquet of Officers of the Civic Guard of Saint George at Haarlem (1616). Before 1640, in addition to formal portraits, Hals frequently painted half-lengths of children and the colorful types of characters he may have met at inns. These paintings probably have symbolic or allegorical meanings.
Hals was born in Antwerp, Belgium. He spent most of his life in Haarlem, the Netherlands, where his parents moved to escape Spanish rule. Hals died there in August 1666.
