Holland after a terrible struggle had ultimately succeeded in throwing
off the Spanish yoke before the art of Hals was on the wane. Dutch
art then became gradually more independent, self-centred, democratic
in outlook, and Protestant in tendency. Religious subjects became
less frequent, and domestic scenes dealing with indoor and outdoor
life were before long largely on the increase. Before we pass to the
detailed study of the most striking characteristics of art in Holland
in the last half of the seventeenth century, we must examine at some
length the far-reaching influence and the world-famous achievements of
Rembrandt, for whom Hals may be said to have prepared the way.