The collection of the Sakha Republic National Art Museum features the painting “Cleopatra’s Meeting with Mark Antony in Tarsus” by Frans Francken the Younger.

The painting depicts a scene from an ancient Roman story about the tragic love of the Egyptian queen and the Roman commander Mark Antony. Cleopatra was the last queen of Egypt and one of the most influential women in the world. The legendary meeting of Antony and Cleopatra took place in the city of Tarsus (Cilicia) in 41 BC. The painting tells about the arrival of Cleopatra in the city of Tarsus, where she was summoned by the Roman commander Mark Antony, the ruler of the eastern part of the Roman Empire. He intended to make Egypt a dependent province of Rome. On the right, on the high walls of the city, there is a large motley crowd of onlookers who ran to the shore at the sound of music and were amazed by the colorful view that opened before them. The Roman army with Mark Antony at its head is depicted under the walls, welcoming the ruler of Egypt.

The multi-figure scene set against the background of architecture and landscape, vibrant colors, and carefully elaborated details make the painting from the museum’s collection a characteristic example of Antwerp history painting. The work was created by Rubens’ pupil Frans Franken the Younger (1581–1642). He was the third son of the painter Frans Franken the Elder (1542–1616), in connection with which, until his father’s death in 1616, he signed his canvases “the young Frans Francken.” From the late 1620s, he used the signature De Oude Fr. Francken (the old Fr. Franken) to distinguish himself from his son Franz III.

Frans Franken the Younger began working in the family workshop alongside his father and uncle in the traditions dating back to the first half of the 16th century. Over time, he expanded the range of subjects with landscapes and historical images, enlivened by brighter colors. In 1605, the painter joined the Antwerp art Guild of St. Luke and began to work independently. He created small-format paintings on historical, allegorical, mythological and biblical subjects. Frans Franken was a versatile artist, who chose unusual subjects for his paintings, including overseas animals. The artist quickly achieved recognition and became very successful. Frans Franken made a significant contribution to the development of Flemish art in the first half of the 17th century.