Titre:
Portrait of a Gentleman aged 52 by Frans Hals. Sold at Sotheby's London 7th December 1988. Estimate £600,000-800,000. . This portrait of a gentleman is characteristic of Hal's mature period when the painter was at the height of his powers and popularity. The self-assured posture, right hand on hip, and the frank, unaffected gaze at the spectator are motifs often employed by Hals. His sitters are often from the wealthy merchant class and the artist's innate sympathy with his subjecs is vividly shown by the intimacy and sensitivity of their characterisation.. Frans Hals (c. 1580 August 26, 1666) was a Dutch painter during the Dutch Golden Age. As a portrait painter, considered by some as second only to Rembrandt, in Holland, he displayed extraordinary talent and quickness in his art.. . ©TopFoto