About the Cover

Portrait of Tieleman Roosterman, 1634

Frans Hals (Dutch, c. 1581-1666)

oil on canvas, Framed: 139 x 109 x 5.5 cm (54 11/16 x 42 7/8 x 2 1/8 in); Unframed: 117 x 87 cm (46 1/16 x 34 1/4 in). Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 1999.173

Image Credit: Cleveland Museum of Art

Tieleman Roosterman's business in fine linen and silk fabrics extended as far as France. Given his trade, it is no surprise that Hals emphasized costume here, luxurious despite its sober color.

Here Roosterman wears a black doublet with slashed sleeves, a wide collar, lace-edged cuffs, and breeches, as well as a large beaver hat. The inscription at the upper right, painted by Hals, gives the sitter's age as 36 and the painting's date.