Captain Andries van Hoorn 1638

Frans Hals captured Captain Andries van Hoorn on canvas using oil paints with remarkable skill. The way Hals used oil paints – a relatively new medium at the time – influences how we perceive the artwork. You can see the visible brushstrokes, which make the captain seem alive and active. The texture of the paint adds depth to his clothes and face, almost like you could reach out and touch them. Hals expertly renders the stark white of the ruff, contrasting with the deep blacks and browns of the captain's attire. The act of painting in this era was more than just craft; it reflected the sitter's social standing. Captain van Hoorn's wealth afforded him this luxury, and Hals's artistry immortalized him in a way that aligns with the values of the emerging Dutch merchant class. Paying attention to the materials and the making process gives us a much richer understanding of the artwork, challenging the traditional divide between fine art and the skilled trades.