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, he entered the school of Lambert Lombard, whose manner he imitated very perfectly. He afterwards went to Italy, and completed his studies from the most eminent masters. The great progress he made in historical painting, at his return procured him much employment; and his countrymen complimented him with the flattering appellation of the Flemish Raphael. He got much money, and might have rendered his acquaintance more worthy of the attention of the great, had he not debased himself by frequent drunkenness. He died in 1570, aged 50.