The Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem has a superb collection of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century paintings.
The earliest works in the Frans Hals Museum date from the beginning of the sixteenth century; they are mainly paintings of biblical or mythological scenes. The painters of the Golden Age specialized in everyday subjects: portraits, still lifes and townscapes. Frans Hals, the most famous Haarlem painter of the Golden Age, who gives his name to the museum, specialized in portraits and group portraits. His famous militia works and his three large portraits of regents show to advantage in the museum, which is housed in a building full of character and history; it was built as Old Men’s Alms Houses in the seventeenth century.

Discover the Frans Hals Museum with the official Frans Hals Museum App. This lets you use your smartphone to find out what’s going on in the museum and gives you up-to-the-minute practical information.
The app provides an audio tour explaining the highlights of the collection of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century paintings and special themes such as the history of the building and special exhibitions. In some cases there is additional background information, or restorers and curators explain their personal approach.

The app is free to download. It can also be downloaded in the museum, using our free Wi-Fi network. Basic earphones can be purchased in the museum for € 1.

The app is available in Dutch and English.