Mulatto 1627

Frans Hals painted "Mulatto" with oils on canvas, using traditional art materials for the time. Look closely at the visible brushwork. Hals applied the paint in loose, gestural strokes, creating texture and capturing the lively expression of the subject. It is a superb, rapid handling of the oil paint that feels almost effortless, but was achieved only after years of practice. The bravura is really the point; it elevates the picture beyond a mere likeness. Hals's approach to painting challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft. Instead of meticulously blending the brushstrokes to create a smooth, polished surface, Hals left them visible, emphasizing the process of creation. The artist's labor becomes palpable. It represents a valuing of directness and the vitality of the moment, qualities often associated with craft traditions. In short, Hals reminds us that painting is also a manual act.