Proost! Festive Moments in Frans Hals' Early Genre Works

Though known primarily for his portraiture, Dutch Golden Age painter Frans Hals largely began with genre paintings, or scenes of everyday life. Hals did not opt for the typical household scene, however, popular in a Calvinizing Holland of the late Protestant Reformation. Instead, Hals sought to capture moments of celebration and joy in the rich culture of the Dutch Republic for their own sake. This exhibit will explore how Hals' technique captures festive moments, as well as how the framework with which these works have been interpreted has changed over time.