Former Amsterdam Mayor and Wife Identified as Sitters in Frans Hals Portraits
In the early 17th century, Frans Hals, a Haarlem painter, created pendant marital portraits for a pair of newlyweds, Jan van de Poll and Duifje van Gerwen, who took advantage of a break in his schedule. These portraits, dating back to 1637, were recently identified by researchers at the Rijksmuseum as the mayor of Amsterdam and his wife.
Hals had initially run into trouble with a large portrait of Amsterdam’s militia, prompting the couple to commission their portraits instead. The portraits are currently on display at the Rijksmuseum until June 9 before moving to Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie for an exhibition on Hals and his contemporaries. Born in Antwerp, Hals was known for his portrait work and was occasionally employed by Amsterdammers for his more competitive prices.
Source
Leonie Schultz completed her studies in Digital Media and Design at the Berlin University of the Arts. She focuses on digital installations and interactive art, often incorporating elements of sound and light to create immersive experiences. Leonie has been involved in several digital art festivals and is known for her innovative approach to storytelling through technology.