FRANS FRANCKEN THE YOUNGER | THE HOLY FAMILY DINING OUTDOORS WHILE SERVED BY ANGELS

Frans Francken the Younger was the most successful and highly regarded member of an artistic dynasty that stretched over three generations. This signed panel probably dates to his mature career, after circa 1621, because by this time he started to sign his works with the letters d.o. (der ouden, or the elder), so as to distinguish his output from that of his son, Frans Francken III. In the last two decades of his life, Francken the Younger was incredibly prolific, often painting variations of similar themes. The present painting, however, with its balanced composition and bold color palette, appears to be a unique example in his large oeuvre.