Frans Francken I (1542 - 1616), Cerchia di - Cristo in casa di Marta e Maria

Circle of Frans Francken I (1542 - 1616) , 17th century
Christ in the house of Martha and Mary
Oil on canvas, 57. 5 x 154. 5 cm
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The painting examined is to be attributed to a painter active in the circle of Frans Francken I (1542-1616) , a Flemish painter and draftsman belonging to the South Holland school. Part of the family of painters Francken was the son of Nicolaas, from whom he received the basics of artistic education, and brother of Hieronymus, he served his apprenticeship with Frans Floris.
In addition to the creation of religious paintings, he also painted historical subjects and studio paintings (kunstgalerijen) . Most of his medium-sized works, created in bright colors and with graceful shapes, are influenced by the master and are similar in style to the genre paintings created by his brother Hieronymus, who also belonged to the Floris school.
The analyzed work represents the episode of Christ in the house of Martha and Mary taken from the Gospel of Luke. Martha, busy welcoming the guest worthily, urges her sister Mary, who sits next to Christ to listen, to help her with the household chores. But Jesus calmly reprimands her: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and worried about many things; only one thing is necessary: Mary has chosen the best part. " The theme is here set within a typical 17th century kitchen, full of life. The left side is occupied by the food that is about to be cooked, arranged in an opulent composition of vegetables, fruit, feathered game, fish and large, decorative copper containers that reflect the light with small flashes. In the center of the painting, in the background you can see the kitchen where dinner is being prepared, a cook is at work, while in the fireplace the flames are heating a suspended cauldron. The theme of the painting is often a pretext for realistic genre scenes, but in the painting examined the painter carefully followed the Gospel of Luke. Martha is depicted here not addressing her sister, but Jesus, who responds eloquently to her, as indicated by the gestures of his hands. Martha is represented with an apron, which underlines her activity in preparing dinner. Despite Jesus' response in favor of Mary's contemplative calm, Martha is a positive figure, to the point of becoming the patron saint of housework.
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The frame is provided free of charge, therefore it cannot be a reason for return or complaint.
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