Lucas Franchoys the Elder
Illustration — Portrait of Philip Snoy, Mayor of Mechelen Lucas Franchoys the Elder or Lucas Francois (1574–1643) was a Flemish painter of history paintings and portraits.
Also recorded as Lucas, the elder Franchoys · Lucas, I Franchoys
Lucas Franchoys the Elder

Lucas Franchoys the Elder · photo of artwork by Paul Hermans · Public domain
- Born
- 1574 · Mechelen.
- Died
- 1643 · Mechelen.
- Nationality
- Habsburg Netherlands
- Occupation
- painter
- Movements
- Baroque
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Illustration — Portrait of Philip Snoy, Mayor of Mechelen Lucas Franchoys the Elder or Lucas Francois (1574–1643) was a Flemish painter of history paintings and portraits.
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wikidata · Q2748318 · wikipedia · Lucas Franchoys the Elder
In this article
Life
Life
He was born in Mechelen in a family of artists. His sister Cornelia married the sculptor Hendrik Faydherbe and their son Lucas Faydherbe became a leading Flemish Baroque sculptor. Lucas Franchoys the Elder became a master in the Mechelen Guild of St. Luke in 1599. Between 1613 and 1640 he was deacon of the guild six times. He married Catharina du Pont on 13 January 1605. The couple had three daughters and two sons. He taught both of his sons, Lucas Franchoys the Younger and Peter Franchoys, the art of painting. In the years 1602–1604 he was court painter in Paris and Madrid. In Paris, he worked for Henri, Prince of Condé for whom he painted many portraits. In 1610 he painted a Pietà for the Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent. He died in Mechelen.
Work
Work
The early Dutch biographer Arnold Houbraken described Franchoys as a painter known for his portraits and historical allegories. His clients belonged to the elite.

Lucas Franchoys the Elder, Lucas Franchoys (I) - Portrait of Mathias Hovius
Attributed to Lucas Franchoys the Elder

Porträt des Erzbischofs Matthias Hovius, Öl auf drei zusammengesetzten Holztafeln, 105 x 73 cm.
Attributed to Lucas Franchoys the Elder
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1574
Lucas Franchoys the Elder born at Mechelen.
1643
Lucas Franchoys the Elder died at Mechelen.
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His work is associated with Baroque. Recorded position is court painter. He belonged to Guild of Saint Luke. He worked at Mechelen, Spain and France.
Career and activity
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Paintings
18,452 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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- Lucas AchtschellinckArtist
- Lucas de HeereArtist
- Lucas de ValdésArtist
- Lucas HorenboutArtist
- Lucas MacieArtist
- Lucas MoserArtist
- Lucas van ValckenborchArtist
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