The Laughing Cavalier

The Laughing Cavalier, oil painting created in 1624 by Dutch artist Frans Hals. This painting belongs to the artist’s middle period, when the joie de vivre that characterized his early work had begun to disappear, and it gained its title when it was exhibited in London in the 1870s.

Hals was born in Antwerp but grew up in Haarlem to become the leading painter of the Dutch Golden Age. He was particularly famous for his large group portraits, but The Laughing Cavalier came to be popularly regarded as his most iconic portrait. Catching our eye with a knowing gaze, the “cavalier” is neither laughing nor a cavalier. In fact, not much is known about the sitter except what the painting itself reveals. An inscription in the top right tells us that he was 26 years of age. He was wealthy and fashionable, as shown by the intricately embroidered doublet and extravagant lace collar and cuffs. On his sleeve, flaming torches, hearts and arrows, lover’s knots, and bees—all symbols of love—can be seen, suggesting that this may have been a betrothal portrait.

Hals has captured the moment brilliantly. The sitter’s enigmatic smile, direct gaze, and confident manner capture the viewer’s imagination. The turned body allows a good view of the finery of his clothes, depicted by Hals with amazing technique using bravura brushstrokes on the ruff and scribbles of black paint on the sash. His delicate rendering of lace on the cuffs and bold highlights on the embroidered motifs are also notable. Hals faded into obscurity after his death, coming to be regarded as a minor painter at best. His reputation was not re-established until 1865, when the 4th marquess of Hertford purchased The Laughing Cavalier at auction; the painting remains in the Wallace Collection. This purchase was a milestone in the revival of Hals’s reputation, particularly among the Impressionists.