The painting “Portrait of a Woman, Known as The Gipsy Girl” is a work by Frans Hals, completed in 1629. It is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 58 by 52 centimeters, and is part of the Baroque art movement. This portrait, or “tronie,” which is a type of painting depicting an exaggerated facial expression or a character in costume, can be found at the Louvre in Paris, France.
The artwork features a woman directly gazing at the viewer with a gentle smile, exuding a sense of intimacy and familiarity. She has a warm complexion and dark, loosely styled hair with locks framing her face. The woman is depicted with a low-cut white blouse, accented by a deep red garment or shawl draped over one shoulder, contributing to the striking contrast in color that draws attention to her face. The brushwork is characterized by loose, expressive strokes, typical of Hals’ ability to capture the vigor and spontaneity of his subjects. The background is subdued and nondescript, further emphasizing the liveliness and three-dimensional quality of the figure.
