The Seven Works of Mercy by FRANS FRANCKEN II (1642–1681)

The Seven Works of Mercy:
Iconography:
This panel depicts the seven so-called “corporal” works of mercy which, in Catholic Christian doctrine, consist of:
- Burying the dead. In the background, two men carry a dead body.
- Visiting prisoners.
- Feeding the hungry. (Roman Charity: the legend of Pero and Micon).
- Sheltering the homeless.
- Visiting the sick.
- Clothing those who have nothing (following the example of Saint Martin, who gave his cloak to a naked beggar).
- Giving drink to the thirsty.
Oak panel, two planks, reinforced, monogrammed lower right “FF”; bears inscriptions on the reverse.
43 × 68 cm – 16.9 × 26.8 in.
We compare our composition with the one (panel, 78 × 109 cm) in the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen in Munich (signed and dated 1630). (See U. Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere, Freren, 1989, no. 273, illustrated p. 309).
A similar composition attributed to Frans Francken, on copper (55 × 72 cm), was offered for sale at Christie’s, London, May 19, 1989, no. 144.