Francis depicts diversity, injustice, and love.
Twilight of the Gods
Around 1980, a turning point occurred in art. The dominance of modern, abstract art was coming to an end, and figurative artists stepped into the spotlight. Frans Franciscus began his career during those postmodern years. With his provocative figuration, connecting with classical masters, he quickly secured a prominent place in the Dutch art world.
About Frans Franciscus
Frans Franciscus (Utrecht, 1959) lives and works in Amsterdam. He studied at the Utrecht Art Academy from 1982 to 1986. Franciscus's work reflects humanity in all its facets. In a critical, insightful, and often witty manner, he portrays themes such as diversity, injustice, and love in beautiful, contemporary classical works. He often draws inspiration from sources across different eras, such as 17th-century works by Rubens and the Utrecht Caravaggist Hendrick ter Brugghen, 20th-century figurative paintings by Max Beckmann, and modern comic strips. His recent work, the large triptych No Masters or Kings When the Ritual Begins from 2025, bears witness to this. The work will be shown for the first time in the exhibition.
On display in De Verdieping
Guest curators of the exhibition are Paul van den Akker, emeritus professor of art history at the Open University, and Claar Griffioen, a writer specializing in visual arts, literature, and culture. Their book will be published by WBOOKS on July 9 Twilight of the Gods | F. Franciscus – painter grappling with art history. This book offers an exhilarating deep dive into Franciscus's paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs created over more than forty years.
'Twilight of the Gods' will be on display in De Verdieping from July 10. De Verdieping is located on the second floor of the former Agnietenklooster.