Why were Frans Hals’s possessions sold at auction in 1654?

Frans Hals’s possessions were sold at auction in 1654 because he was in debt.1

During his later years, Hals faced significant financial hardship and struggled with family problems. By 1650, he received markedly fewer commissions as public taste shifted toward a more elegant style popularized by Anthony Van Dyck. These reduced earnings were insufficient to support him, leading to the auction of his belongings to satisfy his creditors. This financial adversity continued until 1662, when the city of Haarlem finally recognized his right to public assistance and granted him a yearly pension.1