In the 16th episode of 'Frans Hals Paintings—The Podcast’, I discuss Frans Hals' portrait of Tieleman Roosterman, which since 1999, has been part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, in Ohio, in the USA. The painting has long been attributed to Hals by scholars, since the late-1800s. Seymour Slive numbered the work number 93, in his 1974 catalogue; Claus Grimm numbered it 76, in his 1989 catalogue. It is the pendant to Hals’ portrait of Catherina Brugman, numbered 94 in the same catalogue. This is a portrait of a very self-assured man. Standing at a three-fourth portrayal at nearly life-size; the canvas shows Tieleman positioned against a tan, neutral background, with a confident, jaunty posture. Dressed in a black doublet adorned with intricate black embroidery along the seams and along his cuffs; his eyes gaze directly at the viewer, creating an intense connection between observer and sitter. The composition reflects Hals’ skill in capturing the personality and vitality of his sitter, through dynamic brushwork and keen observation of details.

Learn more about the work at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

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'Frans Hals Paintings—The Podcast' is published by ⁠⁠Semicolon-Press.