Portrait of René Descartes;

In the seventeenth-century Netherlands, Frans Hals was celebrated for his ability to produce portraits of liveliness and gaiety that captured the sitter’s personality. His distinct style is characterized by broad, loose, and vivacious brushstrokes that produce natural, informal figures. Hals' style can be seen in this oil painting of the famous philosopher and scientist René Descartes, who moved to the Netherlands in 1628. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the dramatic highlighting of the figure’s face and hands that adds to the scene’s energy and animation. Although his portraits appear sp... Mehr ...