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Lustige Gesellschaft
Merry Company
Kunstpalast - ARTOTHEK

Merry Company, 1628

ArtistDirck Hals, Haarlem 1591–1656 Haarlem
Oil on oak
Dimensions without frame30,5 × 40,4 cm
Dimensions with frame44,2 × 53 cm
Status
not on display
About the workAs one of Haarlem’s leading genre painters, Dirck Hals was a specialist in cheerful society pieces. Here a circle of three couples displays their joie de vivre and wealth, but behaves in a less than genteel manner: one man spreads his legs, while the women are draped over their chairs. On the table are the remains of oysters, which were considered a sexual stimulant. Allusions to all five senses are also hidden in the image – perhaps as a warning against excessive sensual pleasure. The fact that two of the couples are gazing directly at the viewers can be understood as an invitation to reflect.
AccessionBequest Paul Girardet 1970
Provenance[...]; o.D. Sammlung des ehem. Konservators d. Kaiser-Friedrich-Museums, Berlin, Prof. Dr. Danzas (gest. 11.12.1943 in Baden-Baden); [...]; 1952 Sammlung Paul Girardet (Essen 6.12.1878 - 28.7.1970 bei Gelting), Meerbusch-Büderich, vermutl. erworben aus der Sammlung Danzas; 3.11.1970 erworben aus dem Vermächtnis Paul Girardet
Inventory numberM 1970-5
Contact
sammlung@kunstpalast.de
Permalink
https://sammlung.kunstpalast.de/en/objects/404798/lustige-gesellschaft
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