The Violin Player (Primary Title)
Circle of, Frans Hals, Dutch, ca. 1581 - 1666 (Artist)
Hals' very distinctive style of painting-characterized by broad brushstrokes, a monochrome palette, and the direct presentation of the subject-attracted many followers. It is usually thought that this work is by the famous woman artist Judith Leyster(1609-1660), who was active in Hals' circle. She was married to another painter, Jan Molenaer (c. 1610-1668), whose Musical Party (also known as Allegory of Marital Fidelity) is also exhibited in this gallery.
The subject of this painting may havemany levels of meaning. It could be an allegory of the sense of hearing or the art of music. The artist's foregrounding of the subject challenges us to "hear" the violin player as much as observe him.
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