Holland - Haarlem - Malle Babbe - Foolish Babbe MalleFoolish Babbe is a historical figure. The famous arti...

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Haarlem Frans Hals Malle Babbe bronze statue art

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Holland - Haarlem - Malle Babbe - Foolish Babbe
MalleFoolish Babbe is a historical figure. The famous artist Frans Hals made a painting of her in 1630 with an owl upon her shoulder. Malle/Foolish Babbe served as a waitress in a pub in the Haarlem Smedestraat and she possibly also rendered other services to her male customers...

The statue which you see here is based upon Frans Hals' painting.
Malle/Foolish Babbe was not very impressed by Frans Hals' painting. 'An owl upon my shoulder', said she, 'I am no witch, am I?' Frans Hals is reported to have answered: 'The owl is the symbol of wisdom.'
Quote from:
Malle/Foolish Babbe's son, a dutch historical book for children from 10 until 80 by Golden Slate-pencil (Gouden Griffel) winner Frank Herzen - 1999.

Earlier in time Boudewijn de Groot (text) en Lennaert Nijgh (composer) and Rob de Nijs (singer) produced a quite successfull ballad upon Malle/Foolish Babbe in the year 1973.

Photo 1

Comments on this photo:

Mar 10 2007 09:11 GMT Adamus

Beautiful shot.

Mar 10 2007 10:49 GMT Florine

Fantastic shot!
(Malle Babbe is a very nice song too :)

Mar 10 2007 18:17 GMT hans55 PRO

famous song !! :-)) ... nice to know the story now !

Mar 10 2007 21:03 GMT annaschnitfink

Thanks dear Adamus for your comment. I am pleased you like this picture!

Mar 10 2007 21:03 GMT annaschnitfink

Thanks dear Baldvin. I am pleased you appreciate the statue!

Mar 10 2007 21:05 GMT annaschnitfink

Thanks Florine. Yes I know it is a very nice song. And it is a very true song. The problem is that the copy rights on this song are still valid, so I cannot publish the text without permission by the author!!!

Mar 10 2007 21:09 GMT annaschnitfink

Thanks dear Hans! I started to do some research myself after I made a photo of this statue when some of the people passing by said: 'This is Malle Babbe'. Via the internet I could quickly find out the details about her history...

Mar 10 2007 21:57 GMT abojovna

:-)! Extraordinary shot!

Mar 10 2007 22:11 GMT annaschnitfink

Thank you very much dear Abojovna for your reaction. I am pleased you find this photo special. :))

Mar 10 2007 22:59 GMT klingklingeling

I didnt know something about that malle babbe. Go that you research the things for us. :-)

Mar 10 2007 23:04 GMT annaschnitfink

Thank you for your very kind comment dear Klingklingeling!
I like to improve my mind and my knowledge: It is fun to me... :))))))))))))

Have a very good sunday dear Jennifer!

Mar 12 2007 11:29 GMT LizSA

Anna...congratulations.........you made it to the frontpage......!!!
a well deserved honourable place for you.....a beautiful photo...!!

Mar 17 2007 10:27 GMT PaP67

bien vu !

Mar 17 2007 14:57 GMT annaschnitfink

Merci beaucoup, cher Patrick!