Portrait of Samuel Ampzing 1630

Frans Hals made this portrait of Samuel Ampzing using oil on canvas sometime in the 17th century. Looking closely, it's not just the likeness of the subject that captures our attention, but also the way Hals has worked the paint itself. Notice the quick, confident brushstrokes that define Ampzing’s face, beard and the pages of the book he holds. Hals doesn't blend the paint perfectly; instead, he leaves the marks of his process visible. You can almost feel the energy of the artist’s hand as he layered light and shadow. This directness wasn’t accidental. Oil paint allowed for corrections, layering, and blending, but Hals embraces the immediacy, using it to convey not just what Ampzing looked like, but his character. He has emphasized the skill of his own hand and the value of the labor involved. In this sense, we see the value of the materials and processes involved in production, challenging any distinction between the fine arts and the skilled trades.