Franciscus Xaverius Stracké (Frans), son of sculptor and painter Ignatius Stracké and younger brother of Johan, was born in Dorsten, Germany in 1820. He was taught sculpture in his father’s Berlin studio. The family moved to Arnhem, Holland when Frans was twenty two. He eventually settled in Amsterdam in 1869 and became professor at the Amsterdam Academy in 1870.

Frans Stracke married Johanna Geertruida Verwaijen (1814-1877) in 1847 and they produced a daughter and two sons; the painter, Lodevikus (Louis) Ignatius Stracke (1856-1934) and the sculptor Franciscus Jacobus Stracké (1850-1888). In May 1878, Frans was married again to the artist and sculptor, Sara Hendrina Josina van Bosse (1837-1922). He died in Baarn, Utrecht in 1898.

Frans Stracké is often associated with his impressive, grand memorials but he also produced intimate, human pieces such as “The Two Mothers” which is exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

The Rijksmuseum lists twelve works by Frans and the Rotterdam Museum lists one.

Stracké’s first name is shortened to both Franz and Frans, which risks confusion with his nephew, Franciscus Leonardus, when attributing works. The Rijksmuseum favours ‘Frans’ so that’s what I have gone with.