The Laughing Toper c. 18th century

Frans Hals's "The Laughing Toper," painted in the 18th century, depicts a man, likely a tavern patron, in a moment of drunken merriment. The work, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a quintessential example of Hals's signature style - loose brushstrokes that capture the energy and vitality of his subjects. The man's exaggerated expression and the casual pose suggest a spontaneous moment, typical of Dutch genre painting. The painting's composition is simple, drawing attention to the subject's boisterous laughter and the earthenware jug, which symbolizes the convivial atmosphere of the tavern.