Sunday, February 28, 2016

Frans Francken II, 17th century

Frans Francken II
Art Room
1636
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

According to the well-known English philosopher of knowledge and culture Francis Bacon (1561-1626), a learned gentleman should have a "goodly huge cabinet, wherein whatsoever the hand of man by exquisite art or engine hath made rare in stuff, form or motion; whatsoever singularity chance and the shuffle of things hath produced; whatsoever Nature hath wrought in things that want life and may be kept; shall be sorted and included." 

Frans Francken II
Picture Gallery
17th century
private collection

Frans Francken II (1581-1642) is the best-remembered individual from a dynasty of Flemish painters that extended across four generations. His range was wide, from the consciously gorgeous, picture-packed interiors of Flemish fellow-citizens and connoisseurs, to outdoor scenes of revelry, to holy narratives set within elevated landscape-visions.

Frans Francken II
 A Visit to the Art Dealer
17th century
Hallwyl Museum

Frans Francken II
Supper with Burgomaster Rockox
1630-35
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Frans Francken II
The Prodigal Son with Courtesans
17th century
private collection

Frans Francken II
Arcadia - Pastoral Landscape
1626-32
private collection

Frans Francken II
The Golden Age
17th century
private collection

Frans Francken II
Witches' Sabbath
17th century
private collection

Frans Francken II
Triumph of Neptune & Amphitrite
17th century
Prado

Frans Francken II
Tower of Babel
17th century
Prado

Frans Francken II
Jacob's Ladder
17th century
Prado

Frans Francken II & Jan Wildens
Mercury & Herse
ca. 1635
Prado