Cavalier in a broad black hat with a twirled mustache, large lace collar and embroidered sleeve, hand on his hip

The Laughing Cavalier

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What you see

A cavalier poses from the waist up, seen slightly from below, his elbow thrust out and his hand on his hip. He wears a huge tilted black hat, a white lace collar that spreads across his shoulders and a sleeve embroidered with gold, red and white motifs. He looks at us with arched brows and a mustache twirled upward.

The plain gray background makes the rich costume stand out. The embroidery is built from quick touches of color, the lace from loose white strokes. Keep an eye out for the gilded sword hilt beside his hand, the lace cuff peeking out below and the dark sash crossing his waist.

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