Two Singing Boys with a Lute and a Music Book

"Two Singing Boys with a Lute and a Music Book" painted by Frans Hals in 1625, is a captivating masterpiece from the Dutch Golden Age. Today, it is housed in the Museum Schloss Wilhelmshöhe.

In 1910, Hofstede de Groot described this artwork, highlighting its dynamic portrayal of two boys engrossed in singing. The boy in the foreground, dressed in dark attire and a plumed cap, holds a lute in his left hand while keeping time with his right. His gaze is fixed on an open music book on the table. Behind him, partially visible, is the head of another boy, who is also focused on the music and singing along.

Measuring 26 inches by 20 1/2 inches, the painting bears Hals' monogram. This piece exemplifies a recurring theme in Hals' works from the 1620s, where a primary figure is often accompanied by a secondary one, adding depth and a sense of camaraderie to the composition.