CORNELIS VAN HAARLEM
(b. 1562, Haarlem, d. 1638, Haarlem)

A Fool with Two Women

1595
Oil on canvas, laid onto panel, 73 x 91 cm
Private collection

There are several copies of this painting attesting its popularity.

During the 1590s Cornelis van Haarlem produced a number of paintings based around compositions comprised of three half-length figures. Numerous versions of his allegorical paintings on the choice between young and old illustrate his interest in exploring the dynamic between a trio of figures.