An Old Lady
1628
Look closely at the faint inscription on the left wall—this cheerful grandmother was 86 years old when Frans Hals captured her likeness in 1628! Dressed in the fashionable Dutch garb of her day, complete with a stiff white ruff and a soft bonnet, she clutches a small book that hints at her piety. Hals was a master of the Dutch Golden Age, famous for his loose, lively brushstrokes that made his subjects look like they were about to step out of the frame and start chatting. Unlike the stiff, formal portraits of the time, this woman's slight, knowing smile feels incredibly modern and full of life.
Views: 15