Homecoming of Frans Hals masterpieces
Monday 17 June 2024
GROUP PORTRAITS OF CIVIC GUARDS HOME AGAIN
The two group portraits of civic guards (schutterstukken) and the regentesses group portrait (regentessenstuk) by Frans Hals that wereon temporary display at the Rijksmuseum have returned to the Frans Hals Museum. The works had been on loan to the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, for the major retrospective exhibition of the Haarlem master painter that was put on with the help of the Frans Hals Museum.
The works consist of two group portraits of civic guards (schutterstukken) both called ‘Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard’ (1616 and 1627) and the ‘Regentesses of the Old Men’s Alms House’ (1664), all three by Frans Hals. A fourth work, ‘The Regents of the Old Men’s Alms House’ made a detour to the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it’ll be shown from 12 July until 3 November as part of a Frans Hals exhibition.
Lidewij de Koekkoek, Director of the Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem: ‘It’s truly wonderful to have our Frans Hals works take centre stage at famous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The National Gallery, London, and the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin. It’s how we can make the Frans Hals legacy accessible to more people. But I’m also glad these masterpieces are back home at the Frans Hals Museum for everyone to admire!’
Welcome home!
The Frans Hals Museum has the largest collection of Frans Hals paintings in the world, including his only self-portrait. With the return of the works that were on loan to other museums, 15 paintings by Frans Hals are currently on display. To celebrate the return, each Sunday from 1 pm – 3.30 pm visitors can listen to a short story about Frans Hals and the group portraits of civic guards (schutterstukken). In interactive talks, tour guides will explain why those group portraits are so special. The Every room has Its own story talk is included in the ticket price.
Free podwalk
The Frans Hals Museum offers a free podwalk about Frans Hals. The podwalk takes you to places in the historical centre of Haarlem that were important to Frans Hals. Dutch actress and presenter Monic Hendrickx recorded the Dutch version of the free audio walk. An English version is also available. You can use a QR code to listen to the podwalk on your mobile phone. This QR code can be downloaded from the museum website.
