Benjamin Moser – Frans Hals at the Crossroads
Frans Hals at the Crossroads
The Joost Zwagerman Lecture is held annually in Alkmaar on 18 November, the birthday of Joost Zwagerman (1963-2015). A leading writer, journalist or visual artist of international significance is invited to reflect on the importance of visual art and literature and the relationship between the two domains. This year, writer and biographer Benjamin Moser highlights the work of Frans Hals in his lecture.
Frans Hals at the Crossroads
During his lecture, Benjamin Moser goes in search of an answer to the question why good art always upsets and confuses us. He links the unique qualities of Frans Hals’s work to Beethoven and Goya and other great artists, such as James Whistler and Vincent van Gogh. And he explains why the art of the Haarlem master still appeals to us and is still relevant today. And he tells passionately why you should come and see Frans Hals’s works especially in Haarlem.
“Few cities have as distinguished a cultural tradition as Haarlem, a tradition honored in the museum that bears the name of its greatest painter.”
De Arbeiderspers publishes the lecture bilingual as a book: ‘Frans Hals op de tweesprong / Frans Hals at the Crossroads.’ You can order the book here.
More information: joostzwagermanlezing.nl