Flemish painter

Antwerp 1581 – 1642 Antwerp

 

Important history painter of biblical, mythological and allegorical subjects.

He also painted altar scenes and innovative subjects such as collector’s cabinet interiors or witches’ scenes.

 

Son and most likely pupil of Frans Francken I (1542 – 1616). He probably also studied under his uncle, Hieronymus Francken I (circa 1540 – 1610), in Paris.  

Most important member of the Francken-family, which counted many painters over three generations.

 

In 1605 he became free master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke. In 1615 he was elected its dean.

He was a very productive painter, who lead a large workshop, including his brothers and his sons. A lot of his workshop’s production (copies and routine replicas) was commissioned by dealers who exported them to Spain. 

He often collaborated with other well-known painters, adding figures in their landscapes or interior scenes.

Frans II started painting in a typical, a bit old-fashioned Mannerist style, strongly influenced by his uncle Hieronymus I, and gradually evolved under the influence of Rubens.

 

 

Frans Francken II used three types of signature :

 

- ‘D.J. f.franck’ (‘dj’ stands for ‘de jonge’, that is ‘the younger’).

Frans Francken II saw himself as the younger, while his father, Frans I (1542 – 1616) whom he then saw as the elder, was still alive and working; he used this signature until 1616.

- ‘f.francken’ after his father’s death in 1616.

- ‘D.O. f.franck’ (‘d.o.’ stands for ‘de oude’, that is ‘the elder’).

Frans II used this signature once his son, Frans III, started painting, circa 1628/1630, until his death in 1642.