The Master’s Voice
Frans Hals / Until January 21st 2024
National Gallery, London
One of the finest artists of any generation, the exquisite brushwork, unique style of portraiture and sublime craft make this exhibition a must-see.
The first major retrospective of Hals in more than thirty years gives the opportunity to marvel at the quality of his techniques. The confidence is breathtaking, with precise strokes and masterful modelling coupled with almost carefree handling of the paint way ahead of its time.
Indeed, Hals’ deft brushwork was unparalleled, building his reputation on a new style of portraiture that amalgamated these techniques with an exceptional characterisation of the people he painted - smiling, laughing, having fun!
one of the greatest painters in Western art
I stood in the centre of one of the rooms in the National Gallery, paused and considered how incredible it all was. I shook my head in disbelief. In fact, I’d been muttering to myself, rolling my eyes, and shaking my head, in awe, throughout. How lucky I was to be standing in a room surrounded by Hals’ work - one of the greatest painters in Western art.
Lucky indeed. I travelled over to Amsterdam in June to see the once-in-a-lifetime Johannes Vermeer exhibition at the Rijksmuseum. To see two of my favourite painters, two of the greatest painters in two blockbuster exhibitions in the same year, I could die happy.
