Description of the picture:
Funny drinking companion – Frans Hals. Canvas, oil. 81 x 66.5 cm
Frans Hals, as one of the most worthy representatives of the “golden age” of Dutch painting and a great portrait painter, knows how to give individuality to each portrait. Moreover, one can even say that his appearance is not so important. He knows how to be distracted from her, transferring that energy and vitality of each hero, which can lead to the admiration of the author, and therefore the viewer, too.
So, in one of Haarlem’s zucchini, he spotted a colorful character, the image of which was later embodied in the film “A cheerful drinking companion.” What sparkling joy and energy blows from this work of Hals. A drunkard with a red nose and cheeks, but a contagiously happy man, looks at the viewer. And he wants to share his little happiness with everyone, holding out a glass of white wine and greeting his new friends with a gesture of his right hand. His broad-brimmed hat is pushed back, revealing a heated but good-natured face.
The art critics call the painting typical of Hals for performance. And this, indeed, is so, the author is immediately recognizable – by the magnificent and realistic image of a caftan, belt, galloons and folds of lace on the collar of a reveler, by warm golden-brown colors, by sweeping, as if “quilted” strokes, by how sharp the essence of the character is captured.
Perhaps, there are nowhere more lively emotions, fun stories and situations than in the life and rest of the common people. The Dutch painter knew this like no one else and always used the moment to draw another laughing man, a fisherman or a gypsy, a musician or innkeeper.
The artist is always captivating by their sincerity, energy, relaxedness and naturalness, thanks to which they are ready to enjoy every day and the simplest and simplest things."