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Glite Dictionary
Frans Hals

Frans Hals

1 8.1
A Dutch painter from the 1600s known for lively portraits of smiling people
  • proper noun
: Frans Hals
  • Many art historians admire Frans Hals for his ability to capture spontaneous expressions.

Examples

  • Several of Frans Hals' paintings depict cheerful gatherings and show remarkable energy.

  • The work of Frans Hals is featured in major museums across Europe.

  • The famous painter Frans Hals created many masterpieces.

  • Frans Hals is known for his unique style of portraiture.

  • Many art historians admire Frans Hals for his ability to capture spontaneous expressions.

  • Several of Frans Hals' paintings depict cheerful gatherings and show remarkable energy.

  • The work of Frans Hals is featured in major museums across Europe.

Surface Forms

Frans Hals main

Morphology

Frans + Hals

This is a proper name (the Dutch painter Frans Hals) and its meaning is not compositionally derived from the constituent parts. Knowing the words 'Frans' and 'Hals' as names does not allow a B1 learner to infer the referent or the biographical sense without cultural/historical knowledge, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Frans Hals was a Dutch painter who used quick, loose brush strokes to catch lively, laughing faces in his 'portraits'. So the name Frans Hals now brings to mind the painter famous for lively, natural 'portraits'.