Frans Francken il Giovane

(Anversa, 1581 - 1642)

Attributed to

The painting bears the signature at lower right: 'D O / FFRANCK.IN', to be resolved as 'De Oude Frans Francken Invenit'.

The initials D.O. (the Elder) place the execution of our painting in the full maturity of the painter.  This acronym was adopted by the painter after his son Frans Francken III's debut in the third decade of the 17th century. The work shows clear similarities in composition, expressive register and physiognomies of the characters with works by Frans Francken such as Christ and the Adulteress from the Musée Thomas-Henry in Cherbourg en Contentin, David and Abigail from the Musée Joseph Déchelette in Roanne, or the Adoration of the Three Kings  from the Musèe Municipal in Soissons.