Frans Hals: Portrait of a family in a landscape (1645 - 1648)


(Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain)

A painting by the Dutch artist Frans Hals (1582-1666). Frans Hals a large amount of portraits - either of individuals or of groups. This painting shows a family with a black servant (the man is not a slave as slavery was forbidden in the Netherlands). The couple are holding hands which is an allusion to faithfulness while the dog at the girl’s side symbolizes loyalty. Identity of the depicted group is unknown. Painting from 1645-1648.