Frans Floris, (Frans de Vriendt)
c. 1516/20-1570 Flemish/Mannerism
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Brief Biography-Frans Floris, Frans de Vriendt, was born in Antwerp circa 1516/20. He studied under his uncle Claudius de Vriendt as a sculptor and did painting under Lambert Lombard. In 1540, the Guild of Saint Luke admitted him as a master. He visited Italy and drew inspiration from artists such as Raphael and Michelangelo. Frans witnessed the Last Judgment unveiling in the Sistine chapel. On his return to Antwerp, Floris became known as the ‘Flemish Raphael’ or the ‘Italianiser.’ Now more commonly referred to as a Romanist. He was mainly a painter of religious and mythological scenes; however, he was also a portraitist. He painted scenes when Charles V and Philip II visited the Low Countries. His brother Cornelis was a highly successful architect and sculptor, the Antwerp Town Hall being his best achievement. His two sons were also artists. The Spaniards slew Jan in Brussels, and Frans settled in Rome. |
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