Frans Hals at the National Gallery review
Frans Hals (1582-1666), one of the most famous and sought-after Baroque portraitists, was born in Antwerp but lived and worked in Haarlem, the Netherlands. The National Gallery is currently hosting the first major retrospective of this esteemed artist in more than 30 years. Here, art lovers, both old and new, can witness and discover the mastery of Frans Hals, known for his extraordinary brushstrokes, and understand why he was loved and admired by artists like Monet and Van Gogh.
This exhibition sheds light on this important artist (usually overshadowed by his contemporary Rembrandt), on the quality of his masterpieces, and on life in the 17th century through the large group portraits, marriage portraits, and 17th-century life scenes adorning the walls of the National Gallery.
Wealthy merchants, with and without their families, political figures, guards, fruit sellers, musiciansβall have been painted by Frans Hals, and we have these gems to ourselves for the next few months. This great masterβs work is recognisable by his brushstrokes, the quick but elaborate details of his sittersβ attireβthose laces, their smiles, their stares, their relaxed composure, and the use of the colour blackβa black that is rich, vivid, and bright, not sad and austere. The Laughing Cavalier has even travelled from the Wallace Collection for the first time since 1900 for this very special occasion. These extraordinary paintings, large and small, have been specifically selected from national and international collections, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Wallace Collection, The Royal Collection, the Frans Hals Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre, and the National Gallery itself, among many others, to show us who Frans Hals was. It is simply a divine and well-curated exhibition.
He truly was a genius, possibly even pioneering photography before its official invention. One need only look at his paintings to realise I am not exaggerating! Take a stroll through this exhilarating exhibition and immerse yourself in some of the most elegant, detailed, and glorious portraits ever brought together for us to thoroughly enjoy.
Date: 30 September 2022 - 21 January 2024; Opening hours: Daily 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-9pm; Location: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN; Price: Β£20, concessions available. Book now.
Words by Massoumeh Safinia
Lina Fitzjames is a Junior Numismatist at Baldwinβs Auction House, located at 399 Strand. She is part of a new generation reshaping the image of numismatics, the study of coinageβ¦.
Experience innovative art installations, extended reality, and interactive gaming at the 68th BFI London Film Festival, showcasing leading global talent across London venuesβ¦.
Bharti Kherβs βTarget Queenβ transforms the facade of Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre with bold feminine symbolismβ¦
Bvlgari Hotel London introduces a striking new collaboration with sculptural artist Hannah Lim, featuring a bespoke afternoon tea and a transformative redesign of the hotelβs faΓ§adeβ¦.
Discover events, installations and launches throughout Londonβs design districts during London Design Festival from 14 -22 September 2024β¦.
The 80s: Photographing Britain opens on 21 November 2024, showcasing 350 works capturing the decadeβs social and political upheavalβ¦
NAOMI: In Fashion. β’ Deborah Turbeville: Photocollage β’ Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London β’ Sargent and Fashion β’ Beyond Fashion β’ Un-hide: Reframing Luxury β’ Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collectionβ’ Marie Antoinette Style β’ Barbie Exhibitionβ¦
Londonβs most anticipated art month is on the horizon, with Frieze London and Masters taking centre stage at The Regentβs Park from 9 October - 13 October 2024. This renowned week typically sees a flurry of activity across the city, with numerous art fairs, events, and exhibitions showcasing the best in contemporary and historical art. To help you navigate the excitement, here is your guide to 50 art exhibitions not to be missed during Frieze Week.β¦
London Fashion Week returns on 12 September 2024 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, presented by 1664 Blanc and curated by the British Fashion Council. The event will feature over 1,000 activities across the cityβ¦
London Podcast Festival to take place in Kingβs Cross with 11 days of live podcasting featuring broadcaster Nick Grimshaw and actress and activist Jameela Jamilβ¦
To mark its 250th anniversary, Birkenstock is hosting a unique photo exhibition and book launch in September at its creative hub, Birkenstock Studios. Offering an exclusive insight into the brandβs rich history and cultural impactβ¦
From timeless operas to groundbreaking ballet, hereβs everything you need to know about whatβs on stage this September...
Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, the acclaimed LA-based artists behind the renowned collective "FriendsWithYou," are the creative minds behind "Little Cloud World," now on display in Covent Garden. During their recent visit to London, we had the privilege of speaking with them about their creative process and the inspiration behind this captivating project.
Westminster Abbey, London's most iconic and historic church, boasts over a thousand years of heritage, renowned for its remarkable Gothic architecture and pivotal role in British history. To help you make the most of your visit to this extensive and fascinating site, here is our guide to ten essential things to see and do at Westminster Abbey.
This November, Saatchi Gallery presents Anastasia Samoylovaβs environmental photography alongside a compelling showcase of Black Atlantic imagery...
Art of London has commissioned artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE to transform Piccadilly Circus with a vibrant installation titled Good Things Come To Those Who Wait from 20 β 31 August 2024....
Centre Pompidou Β· Bourse de Commerce Β· MusΓ©e Picasso Β· Palais de Tokyo Β· Petit Palais Β· MusΓ©e de la Vie Romantique Β· Boot CafΓ© Β· Used Book CafΓ© Β· Montparnasse Tower Β· Seine River Tour Β· Aux Ducs de Bourgogne Β· Cinq-Mars Β· Chez Janou Β· UNO Β· Hotel Amour Β· Donna...
As the final bank holiday before Christmas approaches this weekend, to help you enjoy this last hurrah, here is our guide to some of the best ways you can spend the bank holiday in London...
Tate has announced the acquisition of Archie Mooreβs acclaimed artwork kith and kin, in collaboration with Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). This acquisition, supported by Creative Australia and the Australian government, marks a significantβ¦
There is a strong hospitality team involved here with the proprietor David OβBrien, formerly development director of Caprice Holdings, the kitchen is led by head chef Fionnan Flood formerly of The Chelsea Pig and Clark Crown (ex-Palomar) at the bar...
Yayoi Kusama Β· Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers Β· Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum: It Will End in Tears Β· Silk Roads Β· Geumhyung Jeong: Under Construction Β· Michael Craig-Martin Β· Monet and London: Views of the Thames Β· Lap-See Lam Β· Tracey Emin: I Followed You to the End Β· Nairy Baghramian: Jumbled Alphabetβ¦
Edward Gardner Conducts Rachmaninov Β· AndrΓ‘s Schiff: Haydn, Schubert & Mozart Β· Marin Alsop Conducts Mahler's Fifth Symphony Β· MarΓa DueΓ±as Plays Sibelius Β· Daniel Barenboim & West-Eastern Divan Orchestra Β· Beethoven's Ninth Β· Ara Malikian Β· Santtu Conducts Sibelius & Grieg Β· Igor Levit: Bach, Brahms & Beethoven Β· Lawrence Power with Thomas AdΓ¨s: Fairy-Tale Dances Β· Scottish Ensemble Performs Philip Glass Β· Patricia Kopatchinskaja Plays Shostakovichβ¦
Fiddler on the Roof first opened on Broadway in 1964 running almost 10 years and winning 9 Tony Awards followed by a film adaptation in 1971 winning an Oscar and a pair of Golden Globesβ¦.
Hogarthβs House Β· Chiswick House and Gardens Β· Fosters Books Β· Devonshire Road Β· Gunnersbury Triangle Β· Chiswick markets Β· Chiswick Book Festivalβ¦