Attributed to FRANS FRANCKEN II

Attributed to FRANS FRANCKEN II (Antwerp, 1581 - 1642).
"Adoration of the angels".
Oil on copper.
Measurements: 17 x 13,5 cm, 31 x 28 cm (frame).
The most fruitful of the Francken family, Frans II, or the Younger, learned with his father, Frans Francken the Elder, whose style he cultivated at first. In 1605 he joined the Painters' Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp, thus beginning a career that would last until 1640, in which he specialized in cabinet painting. His contribution to this genre was of great importance, influencing artists such as Teniers. His style is based on that of Jan Brueghel de Velours, although it also shows strong influences of his father and his uncle, Hieronimus Francken. In his early works, debts to Mannerism and 16th century painting can be seen, both in the structure of the compositions and in the rhythm and expression of his figures. They also include evident references to the work of Italian artists such as Raphael, Veronese and Zuccaro. Likewise, the use of prints by Dürer and Lucas of Leyden for some of his figures has been demonstrated.
The extensive production of Frans Francken the Younger can be divided into four stages. His early works denote his initial connection with the themes and styles of the sixteenth century, with high points of view and a clear lack of spatial cohesion. He also uses local colors, especially browns, blues and greens. Characteristic are his figures with large black eyes, achieved through touches of charcoal black, which will continue throughout his career. In a second stage, from 1610 onwards, his palette will become clearer, while he begins to be clearly recognizable for his subjects and interpretations. This is the time of the inclusion of figures, especially stereotyped women that will be repeated throughout his work. In a third period, from 1620, his typical male figures wearing a turban or Phrygian cap begin to appear, while his compositions denote a profoundly eclectic character. The general luminosity now reaches its zenith, determining the chromatic scheme of the work and following in part the general harmonization typical of the Flemish school. In the last phase of his production, from 1630 onwards, Francken evolves towards compositions where local color gives way to general tonalities, often browns, following both the style of Rubens and that of the contemporary Dutch school. In addition to cabinet painting, Francken depicted mythological and biblical themes, some altarpieces and, in collaboration with other artists, painted the figures in landscapes or interior scenes of Tobias Verhaecht, Joost de Momper II, Pieter Neefs or Paul Vredeman de Vries, among others.