Antique Painting Inspired by the Original Dutch Masterpiece Laughing Cavalier

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Inspired by the original, 1624 Dutch Masterpiece "The Laughing Cavalier" by Frans Hals. This antique oil painting is signed by … Read more Inspired by the original, 1624 Dutch Masterpiece "The Laughing Cavalier" by Frans Hals. This antique oil painting is signed by F. H. Wellman, dated 1938. Seventeenth century paintings rarely almost never portrayed men smiling, making the Cavalier’s mysterious smile more revered. Hals broke rules painting unconventional expressions. During the 1600’s, people had their portraits painted to make themselves look better. Hals painted his subjects as they were in real life, less polished and more relaxed revealing their true personalities. The name “Laughing Cavalier” has been a topic of controversy as to whether he’s laughing, smiling, or arrogant and sinister? His facial expression can be interpreted in a handful of ways – yet, his smile-shaped moustache cannot be overlooked as part of his jolly facial expression. Hals painted subjects from unconventional angles. The Laughing Cavalier has been accused of being arrogant for looking down on the viewer. It’s fair to say he could have just been looking at the artist. The original like the Mona Lisa his eyes follow the viewer from every angle. Hans lived to 84, he rarely left his hometown of Haarlem. For this reason it's believed that his sitters must have been predominately locals whom he knew better than most portraitists know their subjects, hence why he was so comfortable portraying them as he saw them. This antique oil painting is fun, full of personality and pays homage to a classic. A great conversation piece!

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