Malle Babbe

Frans Hals's Malle Babbe shows a plump, smiling tavern woman wearing a white cap and frilled collar, her head turned slightly toward the viewer. A parrot perches on her shoulder and a dark jug sits on the left on a table, all set against a deep brown background, with the composition focusing on the head and upper torso and strong light contrasts between pale skin, white lace, and dark clothing. The painting displays Hals's characteristic loose, energetic brushwork and a warm, earthy palette that conveys a lively, informal mood.