Willem Coymans
1645
Frans Hals captures the swagger of a 29-year-old Willem Coymans in this lively 1645 portrait. Notice the loose, almost sketchy brushstrokes on the embroidered sleeve and the crisp white cuffs—Hals was a master of making paint look like it was applied in seconds, yet perfectly capturing the texture of fabric. The young man leans casually on a chair, sporting a fashionable wide-brimmed hat and a confident gaze, while his family coat of arms floats in the background to remind everyone of his status. It's a perfect snapshot of Dutch Golden Age confidence.
- Technique
- Oil painting
Location: National Gallery, London
Views: 12