A4 Paintings created in Frans Hals's workshop
Many paintings that are similar to Hals’s secure autograph works, yet which differ from them in typical elements have been attributed to him in the past, on the basis of historical documentation, inscriptions on contemporary reproductive prints, the association between pendants, credible historical signatures, as well as subject matter and style. There is the phenomenon of the sketchy Frans Hals style that is recognizable at different levels of quality and based on various originals from different creative periods. This ‘Halsian’ characteristic can also be found in areas and artworks which can certainly not be considered autograph. In the historical sense, all these paintings and areas of paintings are by Frans Hals, as they were most likely executed under his supervision in the workshop, and largely following his intentions, even though not touched by his own hand. In many cases, an underdrawing or a first sketch may have formed the basis for the paint layer that was applied by assistants. It must be assumed that the composition and the principal design of these creations were in keeping with the ideas of Frans Hals, respectively with the contemporary assessment and the asking price for such products by his workshop. Many of these artworks bear a historical signature, in the sense that it was applied at the time when they were painted. This is particularly true for the genre paintings.
workshop of Frans Hals (I), possibly Frans Hals (II)
Portrait of a woman with a fan
canvas, oil paint, 79.8 x 59 cm
London, National Gallery, inv.no. NG2529
cat.no. A4.3.8
with contributions by F. Beerse, E. Dullaart and O. Stan