Van Meegeren had become a well-known painter in the Netherlands, and "Hertje" (1921) and "Straatzangers" (1928) were particularly popular. His first legitimate copies were painted in 1923, his "Laughing Cavalier" and "Happy Smoker", both in the style of Frans Hals. By 1928, the similarity of Van Meegeren's paintings to those of the Old Masters began to draw the reproach of Dutch art critics, who were more interested in Cubism, Surrealism, and other modern movements. It was said that his gift was an imitation and that his talent was limited outside of copying other artists' work.