Frangeš-Mihanović was born on 2 October 1872 in Sremska Mitrovica, at the time part of Austria-Hungary (now in Serbia).

He continued his studies in Paris (1900-1901), where he met Auguste Rodin and Medardo Rosso.

Along with his Philosophy (1897) in Zagreb, The Dying Soldier is the earliest example of impressionism in Croatian sculpture.

His most monumental work is the equestrian sculpture King Tomislav (made in 1928–38, installed in 1947 in Zagreb).

He made architectural sculptural elements on buildings in Zagreb, such as the allegorical reliefs of Philosophy, Theology, Medicine, and Frustration on the State Archive.