Biography

Italian painter, brother of Cesare Francanzano. He moved to Naples in 1622 with Cesare and like him entered Ribera's workshop. In 1632 he married Salvator Rosa's sister Giovanna.

His early style remains obscure. A group of paintings are attributed to him that show half-length figures against a predominantly dark background, painted in deep colours with loaded brushstrokes. These pictures, among them two versions of the Prodigal Son (Pinacoteca Provinciale, Bari; Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples), are close to the style of Ribera and to that of the Master of the Annunciation to the Shepherds.