A Life in Belgian Paint Frans Simons, known also by his names Jan Frans Simons or Frans Jan Simons, lived through a period of significant change in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Born in 1855, this Belgian painter spent his years capturing scenes that would later find their way into the hands of collectors across Europe. His life ended in 1919, leaving behind a body of work that continues to appear in auction houses like Christie's Amsterdam. The records of his career show a steady presence in the art market. While much of his personal daily life remains private, his hand…