The Frans Hals Museum In Haarlem: Learn About Art and History

The picturesque city of Haarlem, Netherlands just a bit west of bustling Amsterdam is home to some fantastic museums and one among them is the Frans Hals Museum. For arts and culture enthusiasts, a stop here is a must. Established in 1862, this museum offers a unique blend of history, art, and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages, children included.

If you’re looking for something to do in Haarlem, be sure to visit the Frans Hals Museum. Oh, and be sure to note that they have two different locations in the same city so don’t get confused!

Get ready to see more of Frans Hals at the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, Netherlands:

Basic Info
One Museum, Two Locations
Frans Hals: Capturing the Essence of the Golden Age
The Collection
A Family-Friendly Journey through Art
From the Hof to the Hal

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Basic Info

Address: There are two parts to this museum and they are about a 7 minute walk from each other.
- Hof (Main Collection): Groot Heiligland 62, Haarlem, Netherlands
- Hal (Modern and Contemporary art): Grote Markt 16, Haarlem, Netherlands
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am ~ 5:00pm
Admission: Adults: €17.50; 19 – 24 year olds: €9.00; Under 19: Free
- Free admission with the Museumkaart, IAmsterdamCard, HollandPass, ICOM Card, Rembrandtkaart, and HaarlemPas

One Museum, Two Locations

The Frans Hals Museum, initially housed in the Dominican church cloisters, now spans two distinct locations: Hof and Hal.

The museum’s Hof location, with its history as an almshouse and orphanage, adds to the charm of visiting this museum. The mix of 17th-century architectural style with modern adaptations creates a fascinating backdrop for the art collections. If you visited prior to 2018, this is where you went. But now you should return to see how the museum has grown.

At the Hal location, visitors can experience a contrast between the historic architecture and the modern art housed within. The Vleeshal, Vishuisje, and Verweyhal, each with their unique histories, now serve as venues for contemporary art exhibitions. While you get the history and realism at the Hof, there’s a huge jump and difference in what you’ll find at the Hal.

Frans Hals: Capturing the Essence of the Golden Age

During the 17th century, Haarlem was a vibrant center for art, with over 100,000 paintings produced in the city. This rich artistic climate is evident in the museum’s collection, which offers a window into the city’s past and its significant role in the Dutch art scene. Something which I really had no idea about when I visited.

Frans Hals, the museum’s namesake, revolutionized portrait painting during the Dutch Golden Age. Born in 1582 in Antwerp, he grew up in Haarlem. His ability to capture the essence and personality of his subjects with a realistic and lively style set him apart. Hals was a pioneer in portraying emotions, often capturing his subjects smiling – a rarity at the time.

In a day and age when we can have realistic photos printed of ourselves in a moment, it’s amazing to consider how much time it would have taken to get some of these portraits just right and so real at the same time.

Walk through room after room of interesting portraits and really take a gander at the emotions. This is actually a purposeful way in which the museum is hoping to tell a story with a clear focus on feelings.

In total, Frans Hals painted about 200 paintings, most of which are here at the Frans Hals museum. He painted for almost his entire life, even up until he died in 1666. The two paintings above of the regents and regentesses were painted when he was over the age of 80!

The Collection

Aside from Hals’ works, the museum’s extensive collection includes pieces from various periods, focusing on religious themes, historical works, and influential pieces that attracted impressionists. Its collection, built from local donations and acquisitions, provides a comprehensive overview of Haarlem’s artistic legacy.

A Family-Friendly Journey through Art

Visiting the Frans Hals Museum with kids is an enriching experience. The museum not only showcases the art but also involves young visitors in interactive ways. After entering, be sure to pick up a scavenger hunt taht gets kids to engage with the artwork on a deeper level.

As mentioned, there’s a focus on emotions at the Frans Hals Museum and the scavenger hunt continues that theme with questions that ask children to decipher the emotions they see within the imagery.

Children will discover a range of emotions from happiness to sadness. Make sure to take your time and let them tell you about feelings and thoughts they can see. About half way through, there’s also a table and colorful pencils where you can sit and try to draw portraits of each other.

From the Hof to the Hal

Given that most people visiting the Frans Hals Museum want to see Frans Hals works, like us, you’ll likely start at the Hof. After you’ve perused that collection, definitely take the seven minute walk down the street to the Hal. Located on Grote Markt, there’s no telling what you’ll find inside.

The museum has showcased everything from Rembrandt to Damien Hirst in the past. Suffice to say, it’s a completely different collection of works than what you’ll find at the Hof. While the Hof was a bit more dark and subdued, the exhibitions at the Hal tend to be more provocative and colorful. The Hal is also much smaller, so even if you’re feeling a bit tired after the Hof, you’ll still be able to fit it in I think.

There are some fantastic museums in Haarlem to visit. Don’t skip out on the Frans Hals Museum and the Teylers Museum among others. You really have plenty to choose from.

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