Citizens of the Dutch Republic joined organisations such as guilds for different occupational groups, civic militia, and the administration of charity. And they loved to be painted in group portraits.
Hals
The colours you see in paintings today may have faded badly from their originals. Examples of madder lake, smalt and indigo.
Fading and colour change in paints has been well-described since 1400. Shown here in examples using indigo, it wasn’t properly investigated until the late 19th century.
Ever noticed how stern everyone looks in paintings? Here are some exceptions from Frans Hals, Murillo, Vermeer and others.
When it was first used as a pigment, this vegetable dye proved reliable and lightfast. Later technique, though, resulting in it fading. Why?
A busy period of work mainly in his New York studio, Chase met and painted with Whistler in London, and Sargent in New York.
The Eclectic Light Company 