Frans Francken the Younger ( 1581-1642 ) Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Francken was a Flemish painter and the best known member of the large Francken family of artists. Francken created altarpieces, painted panels and cabinets paintings. He painted mainly historical, mythological and allegorical themes. Francken played an important role in the development of Flemish art in the first half of the 17th century through his innovations in many genres of painting and his introduction of new subject matter. He was a frequent collaborator of leading Antwerp painters of his time.