Dirck and Frans Hals - Dutch Master Artists

Born in Haarlem, Netherlands in 1590, my 10th great grandfather, Dirck Hals was the younger brother of Frans Hals who was a famous artist and probably one of Dirck's teachers.  Other painters who influenced Dirck were Esaias van de Velde and Willem Buytewech.

Apart from a few portraits, he devoted himself exclusively to the painting of conversation pieces of the cheerful domestic life of prosperous burghers in their houses or gardens.

Less famous than this brother Frans, Dirck was not interested in the serious side of life. His work depicted people in conversation, while flirting, making music, dancing, eating and drinking.

His interiors are hardly not fully worked out, but rather with with the emphasis on fashionable dress and colorful representations.

Dirck's art succeeded in putting across people's high spirits through facial expression, costly dress, posture and loose grouping.

Many of Dirck's paintings are shown in the photo group below.

Frans and Dirck were the sons of the pañero Franchoys Hals, from Malinas, and Adriaentgen van Geertenrijck, originally of Amberes, Netherlands.

Frans and Dirck had a brother, Joost. All the brothers were born in Haarlem, Nethersland and all were artists. Joost's work was never as popular as his brothers and it is rarely found today.

After the census of 1585, their parents do not appear in further census records in Amberes. They probably emigrated, along with many other citizens, when Spanish troops occupied the city on 17th of August. The group of emigrants were undoubtedly looking for refuge from religious persecutions by the Spanish and fled to Haarlem, Netherlands.

Frans was the most famous artist of the Hals brothers. Much of his art has survived to today. The Frans Hals Museum is located in Haarlem and is a big attraction to artists worldwide. There is also a statue of Frans in one of the city parks there.

Samples of Frans work are shown in the photo group below.