The Company of Captain Reinier Reael and Lieutenant Cornelis Michielsz Blaeuw, Amsterdam.
82 inches by 168 inches, 1582, Frans Hals.
Across the Rijksmuseum’s gallery from The Night Watch is another huge militia style painting by Frans Hals, shown above, that, to my taste, is not nearly as captivating as Rembrandt’s. Hals work does not have the strong use of lights and darks and has an overall muted use of color. When you stand in the gallery and stare at both paintings simultaneously, it becomes apparent that Rembrandt was the far superior artist, not only in use of the paint, but also with the intriguing placement and use of the subjects.
Try squinting at both the Rembrandt militia painting and the Hals at the same time. Study the way Rembrandt created a powerful focus area with the light building across the canvas. He also leaves much of the canvas in darker shadowy tones, which makes the viewer want to gaze deeper into the scene.
Then look at the Hals and notice how the light is static across the entire scene with only a vague center of interest. What are your feelings on who created the most drama or had the highest level of skill? Leave a comment and let us know your opinion.
Photo courtesy Wikipedia public domain images.
Of course, Rembrandt was the better artist. In his paintings the eye focuses on the lights immediately and then wanders through the painting. Beautiful!!
Looking at the Hals painting, the eye sees all of it at once with nothing interesting enough to draw the eye to any one place.
Thanks for sharing Margi!! I always look forward to seeing more from you.
Wanda
Wanda, Your comments are my thoughts exactly. Looks like we have a very similar theory about what makes a painting compelling. In my opinion, a composition should capture you from across the room with its dramatic use of light. Contrasts are so important, even when using color, textures, and edges. Margret
At my current level of understanding I see Rembrandts’ superiority as having to do with his theatrical interests. His paintings have a human drama with every figure in a more personal way than really just about any other painter. His theatrical taste also plays a part with his “spot light” like use of light. Rembrandt obviously read DaVincis’ writings on lighting and posing figures.
It looks like the same figures! One can see in Hal’s a more flattering portrayal. Rembrandt seems to portray the group as a loose canon of incompetence ready to explode! Rembrandt the master but perhaps Hals is more accurate and less spectacular.
I have always liked Rembrandt. Hals is uninteresting. Just people unknown to me en tableau . Rembrandt draws you into the picture. You feel the volativity. There is movement. I have a list of favorite artists, Margret Short, Rembrandt, and Degas. He , like you uses light and grace. There are other artists, but they are incidental. Jo
It is worth mentioning that Hals was commercially more sucsessfull than Rembrandt and maybe its not fair to compare these to on a top ten scale like they where on american idol.
Hals painted and where paid per “head” and did so very fast, skilled and effective – where as Rembrandt maybe had other deals and issues on a peronal level.
It strikes me that Rembrandts woman mostly looks very wobbly – doughlike sometimes, grim and painted merciless. – Was he gay ?
Hals woman is equal to his males – strong happy lustful attractive . . . I think.
But love them both!