Frans Hals

Frans Hals was born in 1580 and died on August 26, 1666. Hals lived in the Netherlands and was a key artist from the Dutch Golden Age of Art. Hals is in the top three Dutch artists of all time. Alongside Rembrandt & Vincent Van Gogh.

The painting to the left in black and white is a self portrait by Frans Hals.

Hals is most famous for his portraits. He closely observed people around him and would paint portraits of the rich, military personnel, every day men and women, individuals from public houses and merchants and market workers.

Hals was born in 1580 Antwerp. At the age of 5 Frans Hal's family moved to Haarlem in the Netherlands. He lived out his days here until his death in 1666 at the ripe old age of 86. Hals first big break came in 1616 at the age of 36.He painted the life-size group portrait, 'The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Militia Company.'

Frans Hals was twice married and his first wife died in 1616 also. She bore him 2 children and he was to re-marry in 1617. It was to Lysbeth Reyniers that he was married and they went on to have 8 more children. Not unusual in those days.

Hals was unusual in as much that he was successful in his own lifetime as an artist and people wanted his work. However he always seemed to have money worries. He was taken to court several times and his belongings were taken along with many pictures. If only they and he knew how much they would be appreciated long after his death.