Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem
November 2026 through 28 February 2027
From 6 November 2026 through 28 February 2027, the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem will present *Hals-Rembrandt*, an innovative exhibition featuring works by the iconic 17th-century artists Frans Hals and Rembrandt van Rijn. For the first time, paintings by these two grand masters will be displayed side by side. *Hals-Rembrandt* brings together nineteen masterpieces that invite visitors to compare, marvel, and—above all—truly look.
Frans Hals and Rembrandt van Rijn are among the most renowned portraitists of the 17th century. Both possessed an exceptional ability to capture their subjects with lifelike realism. From regents and regentesses to children, musicians, and merry drinkers, their paintings seem to dissolve the boundary between the canvas and reality. Yet, a closer look reveals just how distinct their individual paths were.
Two masters, two ways of seeing
Both Frans Hals and Rembrandt van Rijn are celebrated for their unique, loose painting style and their capacity to portray people with vivid, lifelike detail. Nevertheless, there are clear differences between the two. Rembrandt van Rijn’s process was one of exploration; he would add successive layers to reach the very essence of his subjects. Frans Hals, by contrast, appears to have worked with greater speed and precision, resulting in paintings that feel almost like snapshots of reality.
*Hals-Rembrandt* highlights these two distinct approaches. By presenting works by both artists in striking combinations, the exhibition reveals both what connects them and what sets them apart. Not only in terms of style and technique, but also in the way they perceived people.
Hals and Rembrandt lived during the same era, though they worked in different cities. Whether they directly influenced one another remains unknown; however, it is highly likely that they were aware of each other’s work, as both were already celebrated painters in their own lifetimes.
Looking becomes discovery
The exhibition is designed to be intimate. Rather than an overwhelming number of paintings, there is ample space for focused observation. Visitors are invited to discover details in postures, facial expressions, attire, and brushwork—for the longer you look, the more you see.
Nineteen masterpieces, brought together for the first time
The exhibition features eleven works by Frans Hals and eight by Rembrandt, drawn from various national and international collections. These works have never before been displayed in such a combination.
Collaboration with the Rijksmuseum
The exhibition was made possible thanks to an exceptionally generous loan of five paintings from the Rijksmuseum’s collection. A highlight is the inclusion of Rembrandt’s *The Sampling Officials* (1662), which bears clear parallels to the group portraits of regents painted by Hals.
Rembrandt’s *Portrait of Haesje Jacobsdr van Cleyburg* (1634) is displayed alongside Hals’ stately *Portrait of Cornelia Vooght* (1631), which belongs to the Frans Hals Museum’s own collection.
Rembrandt’s *Johannes Wtenbogaert* (1633) is positioned next to Hals’ *Portrait of a Man* (c. 1635)—a piece from the collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam that is undergoing restoration specifically for this exhibition. National and international loans
Other museums and collections are also contributing exceptional works to the exhibition. Rembrandt’s *Titus at His Desk* (1655) comes from the collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. This painting will be displayed alongside two paintings of fishermen’s children from the collections of The Phoebus Foundation and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA).
The Mauritshuis in The Hague is lending Rembrandt’s *Laughing Man* (c. 1629–1630). This work will be shown next to Frans Hals’ *Laughing Young Man with a Flute* (c. 1630), from the Staatliche Schlösser in Schwerin, Germany.
Furthermore,
*Children Making Music* (c. 1628) by Hals—recently acquired jointly by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis—will be on display alongside Rembrandt’s *Musical Company* (1626). This early work is normally on long-term loan from the Rijksmuseum to Museum De Lakenhal.
MORE IMAGES
Frans Hals, Zingend meisje, ca. 1628, olieverf op paneel, 20,3 x 20,3 cm, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, en Mauritshuis, Den Haag. Gezamenlijk aangekocht door het Frans Hals Museum en het Mauritshuis met steun van de Vereniging Rembrandt (mede dankzij haar Nationaal Fonds Kunstbezit, haar Dorodarte Kunst Fonds, haar Arent Fock Fonds, haar Themafonds 17de-eeuwse schilderkunst en de jaarlijkse bijdrage van het Cultuurfonds), het Nationaal Aankoopfonds van het ministerie van OCW, het Mondriaan Fonds, de VriendenLoterij, de Turing Foundation, de Vereniging van Vrienden van het Frans Hals Museum, het Fonds De Man, de Gemeente Haarlem en enkele particuliere donateurs.
Frans Hals, Singing girl, c. 1628, oil on panel, 20,3 x 20,3 cm, Frans Hals Museum, Harlem, and Mauritshuis, The Hague. Jointly acquired by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt (thanks in part to its National Art Collection Fund, its Dorodarte Art Fund, its Arent Fock Fund, its 17th-Century Painting Thematic Fund and the annual contribution from the Culture Fund), the National Acquisition Fund of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Mondriaan Fonds, the VriendenLoterij, the Turing Foundation, the Friends of the Frans Hals Museum, the De Man Fund, the Municipality of Haarlem and a number of private donors.
Frans Hals, Vioolspelende jongen, ca. 1628, olieverf op paneel, 20,3 x 20,3 cm, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, en Mauritshuis, Den Haag. Gezamenlijk aangekocht door het Frans Hals Museum en het Mauritshuis met steun van de Vereniging Rembrandt (mede dankzij haar Nationaal Fonds Kunstbezit, haar Dorodarte Kunst Fonds, haar Arent Fock Fonds, haar Themafonds 17de-eeuwse schilderkunst en de jaarlijkse bijdrage van het Cultuurfonds), het Nationaal Aankoopfonds van het ministerie van OCW, het Mondriaan Fonds, de VriendenLoterij, de Turing Foundation, de Vereniging van Vrienden van het Frans Hals Museum, het Fonds De Man, de Gemeente Haarlem en enkele particuliere donateurs.
Frans Hals, Boy playing the Violin, c. 1628, oil on panel, 20,3 x 20,3 cm, Frans Hals Museum, Harlem, and Mauritshuis, The Hague. Jointly acquired by the Frans Hals Museum and the Mauritshuis with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt (thanks in part to its National Art Collection Fund, its Dorodarte Art Fund, its Arent Fock Fund, its 17th-Century Painting Thematic Fund and the annual contribution from the Culture Fund), the National Acquisition Fund of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Mondriaan Fonds, the VriendenLoterij, the Turing Foundation, the Friends of the Frans Hals Museum, the De Man Fund, the Municipality of Haarlem and a number of private donors.
Rembrandt van Rijn, De Staalmeesters, 1662, olieverf op doek, 191,5 x 279 cm, Rijksmuseum, bruikleen van de stad Amsterdam
Rembrandt van Rijn, The Sampling Officials of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild, Known as ‘The Syndics’, 1662, oil on canvas, 191,5 x 279 cm, Rijksmuseum, on loan from the city of Amsterdam
Rembrandt van Rijn, Haesje Jacobsdr van Cleyburg, 1635, olieverf op paneel, 68,6 x 53,4 cm, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Frans Hals, Lachende jongeman met fluit, ca. 1630, olieverf op paneel, 37,5 cm diameter, Staatliche Schlösser, Schwerin
Frans Hals, Laughing Boy with Flute, c. 1630, olieverf op paneel, 37,5 cm diameter, Staatliche Schlösser, Schwerin
Frans Hals, Regenten van het Sint-Elisabeth Gasthuis, 1641, olieverf op doek, 152 x 252 cm, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, schenking van de stichting Elisabeth van Thüringenfonds
Frans Hals, Regents of St Elisabeth’s Hospital, 1641, oil on canvas, 152 x 252 cm, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, gift from the Elisabeth van Thüringenfonds foundation
Frans Hals, Portret van Catharina Brugman, 1634, olieverf op doek, 115 x 85 cm, particuliere collectie
Frans Hals, Portrait of Catharina Brugman, 1634, oil on canvas, 115 x 85 cm, private collection
Rembrandt van Rijn, Titus aan de lezenaar, 1655, olieverf op doek, 77 x 63 cm, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
Rembrandt van Rijn, Titus at His Desk, 1655, oil on canvas, 77 x 63 cm, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
Frans Hals, Portret van een man, ca. 1635, olieverf op doek, 121 x 90 cm, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, foto Studio Tromp
Frans Hals, Portrait of a man, c. 1635, oil on canvas, 121 x 90 cm, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, photo Studio Tromp
Frans Hals, Portret van Cornelia Vooght, 1631, olieverf op paneel, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
Frans Hals, Portrait of Cornelia Vooght, 1631, oil on panel, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
Frans Hals, Vissersjongen, ca. 1638, olieverf op doek, 74 x 61 cm, KMSKA, Antwerpen
Frans Hals, Fisher Boy, c. 1638, oil on canvas, 74 x 61 cm, KMSKA, Antwerpen
Rembrandt van Rijn, Musicerend gezelschap, 1626, olieverf op paneel, 63,5 x 48 cm, Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden, langdurig bruikleen van het Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Rembrandt van Rijn, Musical Company, 1626, oil on panel, 63.5 x 48 cm, Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden, on long-term loan from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
