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Frederick Sigfred Franck (1909-2006) was a painter, sculptor, and author from Maastricht, the Netherlands. Authoring more than 30 books, he focused his works on spirituality and Buddhism. Franck immigrated to the United States in 1939. He received three degrees in medicine before switching to a career in dentistry. He established a private dental practice in New York City, which he stayed at until 1966. During his dental career, Franck spent three years in Africa, the experience leading him to publish a book of sketchings done during his experience. He became a renowned sculptor and his works are present in the Museum of Modern Art, the Tokyo National Museum, the Fogg Art Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Cathedral of St. John the Devine. Franck also built a six-acre sculpture park and meditation space on the grounds of an old mill 50 miles north of New York City with his wife, Claske Berndes Franck. They had one son, Lukas. Inspired by Pope John XXIII’s speeches, he travelled to Rome to attend Vatican Council sessions. Although the sessions weren’t public, Franck was granted access to stay for four sessions. Outsider in the Vatican , one of his 30 books, compiles a series of drawings done after his experience as a non-Catholic in Vatican City.

Franck went on tour showcasing the images and speaking with reporters, including a session at the KING’s Community Workshop around 1967.

He died June 5, 2006, of congestive heart failure in his home in Warwick, N.Y.