In short
Lambert Mathieu's best-known piece is Self portrait by Lambert Mathieu (1804-1861) (1843). Next on the list are Portrait of Marie-Anne Mertens (1850) and Portrait of Edward Van Even (1855). We have 3 works by Lambert Mathieu in our catalogue; this guide picks out the 3 best known, with the year, the museum and the story of each piece.
The 10 Lambert Mathieu paintings to know first
Year by year: the best-known Lambert Mathieu pieces
Lambert Mathieu's dated pieces here cover 13 years, from 1843 to 1855. Go through them year by year.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its pieces.
Lambert Mathieu: quick answers about the paintings
What is Lambert Mathieu's best-known painting?See the answer
Top of the list is Self portrait by Lambert Mathieu (1804-1861) (1843). Right behind it: Portrait of Marie-Anne Mertens (1850) and Portrait of Edward Van Even (1855).
What age was Lambert Mathieu when creating Self portrait by Lambert Mathieu (1804-1861)?See the answer
39 years old. Lambert Mathieu was born in 1804, and Self portrait by Lambert Mathieu (1804-1861) dates from 1843.
How many works by Lambert Mathieu are in your catalogue?See the answer
We have 3 works by Lambert Mathieu in our catalogue, dated 1843 to 1855.
What are Lambert Mathieu's first and last famous pieces?See the answer
The earliest piece here is Self portrait by Lambert Mathieu (1804-1861) (1843); the most recent is Portrait of Edward Van Even (1855).
Where can I order a Lambert Mathieu reproduction?See the answer
Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.
Lambert Mathieu's story
The Life of a Belgian Painter
Lambert Joseph Mathieu lived through the transformative decades of the nineteenth century, leaving behind a body of work that reflects the quiet dignity of his era. Born in 1804, he navigated a world where the brush and canvas were tools for capturing both the individual soul and the grander allegories of history. His presence in the Belgian art scene was marked by a dedication to oil on canvas, a medium through which he could manipulate light and texture to bring his subjects to life.
The artist's hand is often seen in his more personal reflections, such as his self-portrait held within the collections of Museum M in Leuven, Belgium. In such works, one finds a man observing himself with the same care he applied to his patrons. His career was not merely about the creation of images but about the recording of faces and stories that might otherwise have faded into the shadows of history.
Themes and Artistic Pursuits
Mathieu's repertoire moved between the intimate and the grand. He possessed a particular skill for portraiture, capturing the likenesses of notable figures such as Charles de Luesemans and Marie-Anne Mertens. These portraits were more than simple likenesses; they were studies in character and social standing. His ability to render the weight of fabric and the subtle nuances of a gaze allowed him to connect with his subjects on a human level.
Beyond the individual, he sought to explore deeper narratives through religious and allegorical compositions. He worked on pieces like De bekering van Sint-Hubertus Saint-Hubert and Raphael and his muse La Fornarina, where he engaged with the weight of tradition and the legends of the past. His work Allegory of Raffaell, Sanzio and the creation of the soft style demonstrates an interest in the very foundations of artistic technique and the lineage of great masters.
A Legacy in Oil and Canvas
The traces of Mathieu's life can still be found in auction records and museum archives, where his paintings occasionally resurface to remind us of his skill. While many of his works remain tucked away in storage or private collections, the pieces that do reach the public eye reveal a painter who understood the balance between form and feeling. His auction history shows that his works have been valued by collectors, with certain pieces reaching prices near 4,593 USD.
Though he passed away in 1861, the physical remnants of his labor—the layers of oil paint and the stretched canvas—continue to endure. His life's work remains a part of the Belgian artistic record, preserved through the careful stewardship of institutions like Museum M. Through these surviving canvases, the quiet ambition of Lambert Mathieu continues to speak to those who look closely at the details of his brushwork.