Few
seventeenth-century Dutch artists realized portraits with the personality and
vivacity of likenesses by Frans Hals. The star painter of Haarlem, Hals
portrayed the city’s leading figures, from officers in civic militias to governors
of local charities. This unidentified sitter wears a flashy costume: a
high-waisted silk doublet adorned with metallic mesh ribbons. Animated
brushstrokes reinforce the energy of the man’s pose. With one hand on his hip,
elbow out, he adopts a stance that conveys self-assurance. The stylish slits of
his sleeve pull apart, further articulating the movement.