Frans Hals (1582/83-1666), Double portrait of Isaac Massa and Beatrix van der Laen, c. 1622. Canvas, 140 x 167 cm. Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS.-The Mauritshuis presents a large survey exhibition of one of the most fascinating phenomena in the history of Western art: Dutch seventeenth-century portraiture. Nowhere else were so many portraits painted of burghers from all walks of life. Amazingly, the last exhibition devoted to this subject took place more than 50 years ago. With approximately 60 masterpieces, the exhibition will afford a magisterial overview of seventeenth-century portraiture. The two grand masters of the genre are Rembrandt and Frans Hals, both of whom are represented by at least eight masterpieces each. In addition, one or more works by some 25 other masters will also be on view. The number of talented painters in the Northern Netherlands in the seventeenth century was unparalleled. Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=22125