Banquet of the Officers is a prime example of the highly profitable group portraits in which Frans Hals specialized. Here is portraying one of Haarlem’s militia companies, which consisted of the most eminent citizens in the city. Hals was celebrated for his lively depictions of groups, which stood in stark contrast to the rigidity of traditional group portraits. Rather than present the figures in an orderly row, he produced a scene of action, variety, and naturalness by giving each figure a distinct personality and pose. Although his portraits appear spontaneous, Hals works were always skillfully designed and the various figures of the group are unified by line and color. The bodies and backgrounds were completed first and the heads of the individual men were filled in at a time convenient for the sitter. As each figure paid for his own portrait, the wealthiest members, who were also the officers, appear in front turned toward the viewer. Hals distinct style is characterized by broad, loose, and vivacious brushstrokes as well as dramatic highlighting; these painting techniques resulted in unparalleled scenes of liveliness and gaiety that made him a favorite portraitist in seventeenth-century Haarlem. ; 70 ½ x 10-3/8 in.