Flemish painting on alabaster: Floral garland with Annunciation, Circle of Frans Francken II, Flanders, early 17th century

Flemish painting on alabaster: Floral garland with Annunciation, Circle of Frans Francken II, Flanders, early 17th century

• Material: Painted alabaster

• Technique: Oil and pigments on stone

• Dimensions: Height 38 cm x Width 29 cm

• Period: Early 17th century

• Attribution: Garland by a Flemish painter, by the circle of Frans Francken II

• Origin: Flanders, probably Antwerp

Rare painting on alabaster, a particularly valuable and unusual support for 17th-century artworks. The piece combines a detailed floral garland with a central scene of the Annunciation, the result of collaboration between two specialized workshops: one focusing on floral painting and the other on sacred scenes.

The floral garland, attributable to a Flemish painter, includes a wide variety of carefully rendered flowers, such as tulips, roses, anemones, and red currants, as well as insects like butterflies and dragonflies. The delicacy of the brushstrokes and the botanical precision suggest the influence of the school of Jan Brueghel the Elder or other Flemish masters active in Antwerp during the early 17th century.

The central Annunciation scene is attributable to the circle of Frans Francken II. The Archangel Gabriel is depicted with golden hair and finely detailed garments, while the Virgin Mary, in a devotional pose, is rendered with solemn simplicity. Golden elements, such as the halo of the Holy Spirit dove and details on the garments, enhance the composition’s refinement.

Condition notes:

Condition:

The alabaster remains complete and original, with no missing pieces. Some fine cracks are present, likely the result of an ancient fall, but these have been carefully restored to ensure stability and are now hardly noticeable. The painting itself is well-preserved, with vivid colors and minimal signs of age, characteristic of the Flemish school.

Attribution: Garland by a Flemish painter, Annunciation by the circle of Frans Francken II

• Origin: Flanders, probably Antwerp

The choice of alabaster as a painting support was rare and required particular mastery, as the smooth and delicate surface of the stone does not absorb pigments like canvas or wood. This made the technique more challenging but allowed for unique light effects, enhancing the brilliance of the colors and the stone’s natural translucence.

This painting represents a refined example of Flemish tradition, blending botanical naturalism with sacred devotion on an extraordinarily rare support.