(Antwerp 1601–1678) and Frans III Francken (Antwerp 1607–1667),
The Holy Family with St. Elizabeth and St. John in a landscape, oil on copper, 31 x 42 cm, framed,

Certificate: Dr Klaus Ertz (2009).

Provenance: Rhinish private collection.

In his certificate, Dr Ertz writes, “The state of conservation of the painting must be described as good. The colours create a radiant, luminous impression. They were applied thickly and in an impasto manner. The layers of colour, which were applied as thin glazes, as is particularly apparent in the flowers and at the edges of the image, are in a good condition...”. As a comparison and an example of the collaboration between J. Brueghel the Younger and F. Francken III, Ertz makes reference to the following paintings, ‘Flowers and fruit around a medallion depicting the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth’ (1730s, Spanish private collection) and ‘Garland of flowers around a medallion depicting St. Bernhard von Clairvaux at prayer.’ (late 1730s, private ownership). Ertz continues, ‘On viewing the original, it was possible to determine that the landscape was executed first, followed by the insertion of the figures (by Frans Francken III). The figures almost lie ‘on the landscape’. This can easily be seen in that neither a leaf or a flower or a twig projects over the garments of the people depicted, as is often the case in paintings on which several painters have collaborated. In this way a painting was passed from the landscaper painter, who had left a ‘blank space’, over to the figure painter, who would not return it again, probably selling it on himself...”. Little is known about Frans Francken III, who painted the figures in this painting. From receipts it is known that he was repeatedly paid for figural groups which he inserted into the paintings of his colleagues.

Certificate: Dr Klaus Ertz (2009). Provenance: Rhinish private collection. In his certificate, Dr Ertz writes, “The state of conservation of the painting must be described as good. The colours create a radiant, luminous impression. They were applied th