HIERONYMUS FRANCKEN III (1611–1671)

Oil on copper panel. Expert Analysis: Dr. Klaus Ertz, Lingen Hieronymus Francken III was a Flemish Baroque painter from a well-known artistic family – his father was Frans Francken II and his brother was Frans Francken the Younger, who played an important role in the development of a new concept of genre in Flemish art in the early 17th century. This well-preserved painting was painted in the 1640s in Antwerp. Most of the artist’s surviving works depict stories from the Old and New Testaments, but he also painted mythological themes. Unlike the somewhat inconsistent work of his early creative period, Francken’s later works typically use figures to fill space. Particularly noteworthy are the brightly coloured garments of some of his figures. Also noteworthy are the gold details, such as halos and small embellishments on clothing and vessels. The scene is intimate in nature. Here we see the Holy Family, the three kings bearing gifts, and three other male figures. In the background is a landscape and a fluted column indicated with loose brush strokes.