Old woman in a white cap and pleated collar laughing with her mouth open, an owl on her shoulder, a tankard at left

Malle Babbe

Frans Hals, c. 1633–1635

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What you see

Malle Babbe is seen seated, from the waist up, in a white cap, a pleated collar and a dark dress. She turns her head to the right and bursts out laughing, mouth wide open, as if answering someone we cannot see. On her shoulder, a brown owl stares out at us. In the left foreground stands a large lidded tankard.

Everything is painted in quick, slashing strokes, especially the pleated collar and the creases of her face, where the brushwork looks almost scribbled. Browns and grays dominate, with the white cap as the brightest area. Spot the metallic gleam on the tankard’s lid and the reflections running down its body.

About Frans Hals

Frans Hals lived in Haarlem and was the great portrait painter of joy: his sitters smile, laugh and seem about to speak. He painted with quick, loose brushstrokes, very modern for his time. Van Gogh and Manet admired his way of painting.

All 10 works by Frans Hals