In the context of Portrait of Stephan Geraedts, Husband of Isabella Coymans, analyze the Frans Hals of the Context.
The Hals family moved to Haarlem before the fall of Antwerp in 1585. This city welcomed skilled artisans and political refugees with open arms. Partly because of this, Haarlem grew into an economic and artistic center. The family of the Flemish textile worker Franchoys Hals and his wife included two important artists. They were Frans (Antwerp, 1582 - Haarlem 1666) and Dirk (Haarlem 1591 - Haarlem 1656).
There is much uncertainty about Frans Hals' first steps into the painting world. The second edition of Karel van Mander's Schilderboek from 1618 mentions him as a student of the latter. However, the style of his works leans towards Jacob Jordaens and Peter Paul Rubens, both Antwerpians, like Hals. 
In 1610, Hals joined the Haarlem Guild of Saint Luke, a year later he produced his earliest known work, Jacobus Saffirus. This early work is characterized by a smooth brushwork, a faithful representation of his model and a spontaneous pose. He depicted the head vividly and strongly lit, something that is also reminiscent of Caravaggio. The painter's earliest style is characterized by a lively coloration, which later becomes more sober. He rather depicted his portraits static and frontal, against a dark golden brown or olive green background. Many of his subjects wear black clothing.
Karel van Mander Peter Paul Rubens Jacob Jordaens fall of Antwerp in 1585 Antwerp Frans Hals