The artwork “Drinking Boy (Taste)” was created by Frans Hals between 1626 and 1628. It is an oil painting executed on a panel and is considered to be part of the Baroque movement. The genre of this work is a portrait or a tronie, which is a type of painting depicting a figure with an exaggerated facial expression or a character in costume. This particular painting is part of the collection at the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, located in Schwerin, Germany.
The painting features a close-up portrayal of a young boy who appears to be in the act of drinking from a glass. The circular composition concentrates on the boy’s face and upper torso. His expression is lively and animated, with his mouth open as if he is sipping from the glass and his eyes looking off to the side, seemingly enjoying the sensation of taste. The brushwork is loose and energetic, characteristic of Hals’ style, which captures the spontaneity of the moment.
The boy’s attire includes a white collar with lace details, which is crisp against the darker tones of his clothing, providing a stark contrast that draws attention to his face. The light in the painting highlights the textures of his skin, the glass, and the fabric of his clothes. There’s a sense of immediacy to the scene, as if the artist caught the boy in a brief, candid moment. Hals’ use of light, shadow, and his ability to depict the subtle nuances of the boy’s expression demonstrate his mastery of the Baroque aesthetic, focused on drama, emotion, and movement.
