“Portrait of a Standing Man” is a work by Frans Hals created between 1643 and 1645. This Baroque-era portrait is part of the collection at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, UK. The painting belongs to the portrait genre, which was a common form during this time for depicting individuals with a focus on capturing their essence and social status.
The artwork depicts a middle-aged man standing with a confident posture, dressed in attire befitting the era. He wears a wide-brimmed hat and a black cloak with a large, flat white collar that was fashionable at the time. His mustache and goatee suggest the grooming styles of the 17th century. The man gazes directly at the viewer, engaging with a slight smile that gives a hint of his personality. The use of light and shadow in the painting is characteristic of the Baroque style, emphasizing the form and volume of his figure and clothing. The background is understated, with neutral tones that allow the subject to stand out prominently. Hals is known for his loose brushwork, which adds vitality to his portraits, and this is evident in the depiction of the textures of the man’s clothing and the lively rendition of his facial features.