The Laughing Cavalier is one of the most famous portraits in the world. We still do not know his name, but the Latin inscription in the top right hand corner tells us that he was twenty-six years old when the portrait was painted.

While we may not know the man’s identity, his portrait gives us ample opportunity to form an impression of his personality and circumstances.

The painting's low vantage point makes The Laughing Cavalier peer down on us with a confident, knowing gaze. In contrast to portraits made by many previous Dutch artists, Hals' painting style, as well as composition, manages to suggest liveliness and movement: the elbow of the sitter juts out and forms a diagonal with the dramatic hat. His opulently embroidered costume implies wealth, and its detail suggests that he might be dressed for marriage.