He studied under his father Frans Francken the Elder (1542-1616) and became the most prolific of his large family of artists. In 1605 he became a Master of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp, where he spent his whole career.
He specialised in paintings, usually small in size, with tiny figures in a bright, highly personal style, depicting mythological or religious scenes, allegories, genre scenes and cabinets d’amateurs. He frequently painted figures for other painters of landscapes, flowers and interiors such as Jan Brueghel, Pieter Neefs and Joos de Momper. His oeuvre is extensive and he had many students, collaborators and imitators who echoed his compositions. They included his sons Hieronymous and Frans Francken III. When the latter began to paint on his own account in around 1628, Frans Francken II began to sign as 'Den Ouden Francken' ('Francken the Elder') to distinguish himself from his son. This created some confusion with regard to his father, the original Francken the Elder, who had died in 1616.
His style is personal and recognisable, featuring highly characteristic figures with bright black eyes and pointed faces, usually richly dressed and making affected gestures.
He studied under his father Frans Francken the Elder (1542-1616) and became the most prolific of his large family of artists. In 1605 he became a Master of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp, where he spent his whole career.
He specialised in paintings, usually small in size, with tiny figures in a bright, highly personal style, depicting mythological or religious scenes, allegories, genre scenes and cabinets d’amateurs. He frequently painted figures for other painters of landscapes, flowers and interiors such as Jan Brueghel, Pieter Neefs and Joos de Momper. His oeuvre is extensive and he had many students, collaborators and imitators who echoed his compositions. They included his sons Hieronymous and Frans Francken III. When the latter began to paint on his own account in around 1628, Frans Francken II began to sign as 'Den Ouden Francken' ('Francken the Elder') to distinguish himself from his son. This created some confusion with regard to his father, the original Francken the Elder, who had died in 1616.
His style is personal and recognisable, featuring highly characteristic figures with bright black eyes and pointed faces, usually richly dressed and making affected gestures.