# The Smoker

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/the-smoker-r8534b96715e871>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [HALS, Frans](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2>)
- Date: 1601-1650
- Technique: Oil on wood, 47 x 50 cm

## Commentary

Although the authorship of this octagonal genre picture has been debated, it is now accepted as an original by Frans Hals. In the 1620s, smoking and drinking were regarded as similar weaknesses. Prints of the period often show smokers in a tavern or bordello, and the two women in the present painting represent those businesses. The panel has no moralising intention, it is simply a comic glance at mankind&#39;s nature.

## Related artworks

- [A Young Man in a Large Hat](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/a-young-man-in-a-large-hat-ra915e45929c8d8>)
- [Andries van der Horn](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/andries-van-der-horn-r51e52c7057c1a8>)
- [Anetta Hanemans](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/anetta-hanemans-rb954a6cd85c10b>)
- [Anna van der Aar](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/anna-van-der-aar-r89a0ca6330b269>)
- [Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard Company](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/banquet-of-the-officers-of-the-st-george-civic-guard-company-rfa51a8a588530d>)
- [Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/banquet-of-the-officers-of-the-st-george-civic-guard-detail-r19aaec246163c6>)
- [Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/banquet-of-the-officers-of-the-st-george-civic-guard-rbd55b896ad9f70>)
- [Banquet of the Officers of the St Hadrian Civic Guard Company](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/banquet-of-the-officers-of-the-st-hadrian-civic-guard-company-rf868fbab150355>)
- [Boy holding a Flute \(Hearing\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/boy-holding-a-flute-hearing-rc068bbc855fc0f>)
- [Boy Playing a Violin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/boy-playing-a-violin-rfe3e1c5bacd5a5>)
- [Boy with a Lute](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/boy-with-a-lute-ra1e72bdd154fe0>)
- [Buffoon Playing a Lute](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hals-frans-r70576a8b6d10d2/buffoon-playing-a-lute-r533f92c43fd390>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)