THE MERRY DRINKER

THE ORIGINAL OF CIRCA 1628/30, 66.5 X 81.5 CM, SIGNED, IS IN THE RIJKSMUSEUM AMSTERDAM (S. SLIVE, FRANS HALS, EXH. CAT., 1989/90, PP.212/5, ILL). IT WAS PURCHASED AT THE SALE OF DOWAGER OF BARONESS VAN LEYDEN VAN WARMOND, NéE H.J. DE THOMAS, LEYDEN, 31 JULY 1816. THE ACQUISITION WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE PREDELICTION OF CORNELIS APOSTOOL, THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF THE RIJKSMUSEUM, THEN HOUSED AT THE TRIPPENHUIS, FOUNDED ONE YEAR EARLIER. THE DEPICTION OF THE DRINKER GESTURING TO THE BEHOLDER, FILLING UP MOST OF THE PICTORIAL SPACE, IS REMINISCENT OF THE WORKS BY THE UTRECHT CARRAVAGISTS IN THE 1620'S.