art in the first half of the 17th century through his innovations in genre painting and introduction of new subject matter. Ambrosius II (after 1581–1632): he trained under his father and was active in Antwerp. Next generation Frans Francken III (1607–1667) is the last Frans Francken who enjoyed an artistic reputation. He entered the Antwerp guild in 1639 and died in Antwerp in 1667. His practice was chiefly confined to adding figures to the architectural or landscape pieces of other artists. Frans III often introduced staffage into the works of Pieter Neefs the Younger. His cabinet-size history paintings follow his father's style generally but also show a strong influence of Rubens' style. As a result, Frans Francken III was sometimes referred to the 'Rubensschen Francken' (the 'Rubensian Francken'). Frans III had a brother Hieronymus Francken III (1611–1671), whose son Constantijn Francken (1661–1717) was the youngest painting branch of the family. See also Jan Baptist Francken, a member of the family who never existed, recorded in error Notes References External links Entry in Larousse encyclopedia 16th-century Flemish painters 17th-century Flemish painters Painters from Antwerp