The Annunciation, Antwerp School, early 17th century attributed to Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581–1642).

Oil on copper
Presented in an antique blackened, moulded wooden frame, guilloché and with an inverted profile.
Dimensions with frame: 47 × 42 cm. Copper plate alone: 31 × 25 cm.

This refined Annunciation on copper beautifully reflects the elegance and devotional sensitivity of the Antwerp School in the early 17th century. The angel Gabriel approaches the Virgin with graceful movement and luminous drapery, while the Holy Spirit descends in a radiant beam of light. The open book, the vase of flowers and the dark canopy create an intimate setting typical of small-scale Flemish devotional works intended for private contemplation.
The precision of the modelling, the clarity of the palette and the meticulous execution strongly relate this painting to the work of Frans Francken II, one of the leading masters of the Antwerp School. The use of copper — a support prized for its smooth surface and brilliance — further reinforces this connection and situates the work within the flourishing production of small religious panels from Francken’s circle.

Comparable Works
Several closely related compositions have appeared on the art market and in public collections:

Dorotheum, Vienna: The Annunciation, oil on copper, approx. 32 × 25 cm, attributed to the Circle of Frans Francken II.

Lempertz, Cologne: The Annunciation, oil on copper, 30 × 24 cm, attributed to the Workshop of Frans Francken II.

Public collections (Hermitage Museum, Ghent): small copper devotional paintings with figures and drapery closely aligned with Francken’s style.

Art Institute of Chicago (USA): a very close version painted on copper, measuring 29.2 × 23.5 cm and attributed to the master himself.

These parallels confirm the painting’s place within the iconographic and stylistic repertoire of Frans Francken II and his immediate workshop.

Frans Francken II was one of the most influential painters of the Antwerp School. Born into a renowned artistic dynasty, he developed a highly recognisable style characterised by elegant figures, vivid colours and meticulous detail. His workshop was exceptionally productive, supplying both the local and international market with religious scenes, allegories, cabinet pictures and small copper panels. Francken’s impact on Flemish painting was considerable, and his compositions were widely disseminated through his pupils, collaborators and followers.
The Annunciation: A Key Biblical Moment
The Annunciation recounts the moment when the angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary to announce that she will conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Described in the Gospel of Luke, this episode marks the beginning of the Incarnation. Traditional symbols — the dove, the open book, the lilies of purity, and Mary’s gesture of acceptance — are all present here, rendered with the delicacy and devotional intimacy characteristic of early 17th?century Flemish painting.

Perfect condition.