SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
Frans II Francken, a Flemish painter born in 1581 and died in 1642, known as the Younger, belonged to a family of artists: the son of Frans I and nephew of Hieronymus and Ambrosius I, he trained in his father’s workshop. His signatures reflect this family connection: until at least 1616, he generally used “De Jon F. Franck” to distinguish himself from his father, then resumed this signature after 1628 to avoid being confused with his son Frans III.
His output encompasses a variety of formats and uses, from large altarpieces to small cabinet paintings, often executed on wood or copper. His repertoire includes mythological and historical subjects, collectors’ cabinets and ball scenes. In his compositions, he drew in particular on old engravings by Raimondi and Dirck Barendsz, as well as on works by his father. The Prodigal Son, held at the Louvre, illustrates an arrangement in which small scenes surround the central scene. On a different scale, the Assumption of the Virgin, dated 1629, remains in its original location, on its altar in Amiens Cathedral.
His workshop operated collectively, with several collaborators; Francken generally did not sign works that were not by his hand. He also worked with painters specialising in other genres: he painted figures for landscape painters such as Govaerts and Momper, and collaborated with painters of church interiors such as Pieter Neefs and Bartholomeus van Bassen. A Holy Family in Dijon is mentioned in connection with his work with Govaerts.
This profile brings together identity references for Frans Francken the Younger and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
9 references are documented at Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer, Koller, Dobiaschofsky, Schuler, Genève Enchères, Piguet. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Oil on wood
Werkstatt Die Hochzeit zu Kana
Öl auf Holz
Catalogue period : 2026-03-19
Published result : 8000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 8000–12000
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Oil on wood
"Virgil im Korb".
Öl auf Holz
Catalogue period : 2023-05-12
Published result : 8500 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 12000
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Oil on copper
Judith und Holofernes.
Öl auf Kupfer
Catalogue period : 2023-05-12
Published result : 16000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 7500
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Oil on copper
Date to be documented
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
View the lot at the auction house ↗These references are shown separately because of their attribution or lot composition. Each record states the reason.
Oil on panel
Atelier de Frans II Francken — Combat des Centaures
huile sur panneau
atelier de
Catalogue period : 2025-06-05 — 2025-06-18
atelier de
Published result : 8000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 4000–6000
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Pair of oils on copper
D’après Frans Francken II — Triomphe de Neptune et Amphitrite
Paire d’huiles sur cuivre
D'après
Catalogue period : 2023-05-03
After
Published result : 7000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 2000–3000
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Oil on copper
Ecce homo
Öl auf Kupfer
Werkstatt
Catalogue period : 2016-06-22
Workshop of
Published result : 1037 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 800–1200
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Oil on copper
Allegorie des Geschmacks- und des Tastsinns
Öl auf Kupfer
Attribution ou qualification signalée dans le catalogue
Catalogue period : 2016-06-22
Attribution recorded in catalogue
Published result : 3891 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 2000–3000
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Oil on copper
In der Art - Manner of
Öl auf Kupfer
Attribution ou qualification signalée dans le catalogue
Date to be documented
Attribution recorded in catalogue
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
