Nicolaes Woutersz van der Meer

Frans Hals painted this oil-on-canvas portrait of Nicolaes Woutersz van der Meer sometime in the first half of the 17th century. Hals was known for his lively and informal portraiture. Here, the sitter's direct gaze and relaxed posture convey a sense of his character. The portrait also speaks to the sitter's social standing. Note the expensive black doublet and the elaborate ruff. The Van der Meer family crest in the upper right corner is another indicator of his social position in Dutch society. What does this image tell us about the social conventions of portraiture in the Netherlands at this time? As art historians, we can explore these questions further through careful study of costume, heraldry, and the economic history of the Dutch Golden Age.