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Discover Rijksmuseum's Frans Hals Collection

AmsterdamRijksmuseum TicketsFrans Hals Collection

The creator of the distinctive freewheeling style of painting, Frans Hals was one of the most influential painters who defined the 17th century art world. Admired, and often, even despised, for his 'rough-and-ready style', discover an exceptional glimpse of Hals' portraits and masterful pieces at the Rijksmuseum.

Why Explore the Rijksmuseum Frans Hals Collection?

Rijksmuseum Frans Hals Collection
  • Iconic works display: The Rijksmuseum is displaying some of the most prominent works by Frans Hals including The Merry Drinker, Portrait of a Couple, and The Laughing Cavalier.
  • Learn about Hals evolution: Uncover Frans Hals' evolution as a painter in the 17th century and his development of the freewheeling style of painting.
  • Get an insight into Dutch art: Explore the collection for a deeper understanding of Frans Hals' art, and Dutch art and history.

Rijksmuseum Frans Hals Collection Artworks

The Merry Drinker by Frans Hals

The Merry Drinker

Painted in bright, blond tonality, The Merry Drinker by Frans Hals is one of the Rijksmuseum's most popular pieces. An impressionistic painting, The Merry Drinker has been difficult to classify as a genre piece or as a portrait and has been a topic of conversation in art history.

Portrait of a Couple

Commissioned for the marriage of Issac Abrahamsz Massa and Beatrix van der Laen in 1622, the 'picnic-style' pose was somewhat unusual for this time. His loose painting style introduced a livelier touch to Dutch art.

Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hans

The Laughing Cavalier

An exuberant painting of a young man in flamboyant costume, The Laughing Cavalier is the most famous painting by Frans Hals. Even with a limited color palette, the painting is known for its unique vitality.

Catharina Hooft With her Nurse

An early commissioned painting, Catharina Hooft with her Nurse follows old, accepted conventions of this genre of painting. However, this double portrait is also one of Hals' inventions to subvert the convention.

Malle Babbe

Housed in Berlin, the Malle Babbe (also known as 'The Witch of Haarlem') is famous for its mythic witch figure. Admired by artists, this painting has seen several copies and variants made by other artists.

The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard

The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard

Considered one of the most famous paintings at the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard is based mostly on the painting of Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem, who painted the same militia company in 1599.

Family Group in a Landscape

Permanently housed in Madrid, the Family Group in a Landscape is one of the few paintings made by Hals in an open-air 'picnic-style'. It is also the Hals' largest painting and the only one of his paintings featuring a black boy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Rijksmuseum Frans Hals Collection

What types of work are a part of the Rijksmuseum Frans Hals collection?

The Frans Hals collection at the Rijksmuseum has on display over 50 works by Frans Hals, including the Rijksmuseum's collection as well as special loans of the most prominent paintings.

How big is the Frans Hals collection?

The Frans Hals collection has over fifty works by the artist that document Hals's artistic evolution.

How long will it take to see the entire Frans Hals collection?

It will take you up to 2 hours to explore the entire Frans Hals collection.

What are the best artworks from the Frans Hals collection?

A few notable artworks from the Frans Hals collection include The Merry Drinker, Portrait of a Couple, The Laughing Cavalier, Catharina Hooft with her Nurse, Malle Babbe, Family Group in a Landscape, Fruit and Vegetable Seller, and The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard.