Frans+Hals

=Frans Hals=

Frans Hals was one of the most famous and admired artists from the Dutch Golden Age. Most of his portraits and genre scenes were very well-known and quite famous in the public. In 1580, Frans was born in Antwerp, which was where he lived for the remainder of his life. Karel Van Mander helped him study art from 1600-1603, preparing him for his art career later on. Haarlem is where he died, in 1666. His body is buried in the city's St. Bavo Church. The portraits that Frans Hals is mainly well-known for are 'Merrymakers at Shrovetide' and 'the Yonker Ramp and His Sweetheart.'

Frans had completed about 300 paintings during his lifetime. From 1616-1617, he worked on a portrait entitled 'Merrymakers at Shrovetide.' The purpose of the painting was to express an event that occurred during Vastenavond. Peeckelhaering (Pickled Herring) and Hans Wurst (John Weiner) are the two men in the portrait who cozy up to the young "lady." With its loose brushwork and crowded composition, many believe this was inspired by other artists of the time period. Another famous masterpiece by Frans at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is called 'Yonker Ramp and His Sweetheart.' It was painted in 1623. This painting shows two figures who are a young man and an acquaintance of his by an inn doorway. The dog in the painting suggest deep affection. This canvas reflects onto earlier Netherlandish images of the Prodigal Son. It wasn't really meant as a representation of the biblical parable, as some people thought of the painting that way.

With his amazing art talent, Frans Hals has inspired many artists today, and many people in the Netherlands have become more appreciative of artwork. The use of the colors and his paintbrush allowed his artworks to capture the surrounding light and atmosphere, which is a feature that most viewers enjoy in art. Emerging artists from all around the Dutch lands today look up to him as an important role model in art, as well as being influenced by him to use his wonderful techniques. About 200 years later, Frans inspired the Impressionist movemeant. Many Dutch artists really appreciate him so much and try to use the same unique techniques, so they can become a famous and well appreciated artist, just like Frans Hals.