Christ in the House of Simon, with a painted frame depicting scenes from the Life of Christ and painted drawings of the four Evangelists

When this panel last appeared at auction, Dr. Ursula Härting described the painting as 'a fine and important example of the artist's [Ambrosius Francken II's] work' (loc. cit.). Ambrosius Francken II trained in the workshop of his father, alongside his uncles and cousins. Ambrosius is best remembered for his landscapes and peasant scenes. Another panel, with a similarly painted frame depicting saints and scenes from the life of Christ, was sold at Lempertz, Cologne, on 14 May 2011, lot 1049, and is considered a collaboration between Frans Franken II, who provided the figures; the Workshop of Abraham Govaerts, which handled the landscape; and Ambrosius, who painted the ornate frame.