Portrait of a young woman
The allure of this painting of a young woman can be attributed to its enigmatic qualities. The sitter remains unknown and even the date when Hals painted her remains a matter of conjecture. The sitter is likely to have been the wife of a Haarlem burgher or merchant, as isolated female portraits are very rare in Dutch 17th century painting - it is therefore probable that Hals also painted the sitter's husband, although none has ever been identified. The sitter is unforgettable for her serene but direct smile, and for the disarming simplicity with which the figure looks out at us.
