Andries Stilte as a Standard Bearer by Johannes Verspronck

Johannes Cornelisz. Verspronck, Andries Stilte as a Standard Bearer (detail), 1640, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Patrons’ Permanent Fund 1998.13.1

Frans Hals, Portrait of a Member of the Haarlem Civic Guard (detail), c. 1636/1638, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Andrew W. Mellon Collection 1937.1.68

Brushstroke

Verspronck: The transitions between colors are carefully modulated and the transition from light to dark is subtle; we see few individual brushstrokes or dabs of color.

Hals: Hals uses many individual strokes of color in the face and creates strong contrast between light and dark. At a distance, these individual strokes blend on the canvas to form features, shadows, and highlights.