Malle Babbe 1625 - 1649

Frans Hals's "Malle Babbe" (1625-1649) is a portrait of a woman known as "Crazy Babbe," a Haarlem street vendor known for her eccentric behavior. The painting, which currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, captures Babbe's lively personality with her wide, toothy smile and expressive eyes. The inclusion of an owl on her shoulder further emphasizes the sense of the supernatural or otherworldly, hinting at Babbe's perceived "craziness." The loose brushwork and vibrant colors typical of Hals's style lend a sense of immediacy and realism to the portrait, making it a fascinating example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture.