In Jacob van Ruisdael's captivating "View of Haarlem" (c. 1670-75), a totally flat, almost totally dark landscape lies under a canvas that is two-thirds billowing, sky-broken clouds.

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Frans Hals, with vivacious portraits, and Jacob van Ruisdael, with grand yet somehow confiding landscapes, are shown at their best, as is Jan Steen, if, unlike me, you relish his over-the-top bawdry.

NEWYORKER: New Amsterdam

The exhibition, officially titled Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis at the de Young also features 34 other paintings by Dutch Golden Age masters, including works by Rembrandt, Peiter Claesz, Jacob van Ruisdael and Frans Hals.

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