FLORIS, FRANCIS, an eminent historical painter, was
born at Antwerp in 1520. He followed the profession of
a statuary till he was twenty years of age, when, preferring
painting to sculpture, he entered the school of Lambert
Lombard, and afterwards went to Italy, where he completed
his studies. The great progress he made procured him
much employment on his return, and his countrymen com-
plimented him with the appellation of the Flemish Raffaele.
He died in 1570, aged fifty.