Mid 20th Century Oil Painting Inspired by "The Laughing Cavalier", Framed

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Fun oil painting - Inspired by the original, 1624 Dutch Masterpiece - "The Laughing Cavalier" by Frans Hals. This antique … Read more Fun oil painting - 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 was famous for breaking the rules, painting unconventional expressions. During the 1600’s, people had their portraits painted to make themselves look better, but not Fans Hals, he painted subjects as they were in real life, a bit scruffy, less polished, more relaxed… revealing their charismatic personalities. Named “Laughing Cavalier”, it’s been a topic of controversy as to whether he’s laughing, smiling, or arrogant and sinister? The chatter over his facial expression can be interpreted in a handful of ways – but, the upward curl of his smile-shaped moustache cannot be overlooked as being part of his jolly facial expression. Hals painted his subjects from unconventional positions & angles, adding to their allure. “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 magically follow the viewer from every angle the painting is viewed from. Hans lived to 84, he rarely left his hometown of Haarlem. For this reason, it is believed that his sitters must have been predominately locals whom he knew better than most portraitists know their subjects, which is why he was comfortable and confident portraying them as he saw them. This antique oil painting is fun, full of personality and pays homage to a timeless classic. A great conversation piece!


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