Charles Matet

1791 - 1870

Quick Facts

  • Died: 1870
  • Top 3 works:
    • La main d'Alfred Bruyas
    • Portrait de la première femme de Matet
    • Portrait de l'auteur
  • Top-ranked work: La main d'Alfred Bruyas
  • Museums on APS: Musée Fabre
  • Art period: 19th Century
  • Nationality: France

A Life in Montpellier

Born in Montpellier, France, Charles Paulin François Matet was a painter, lithographer, teacher, and curator. He began his artistic training under his father, Antoine François Matet, before moving to Paris to study under Louis Hersent. A prominent figure in the art scene of Montpellier, he served as a professor at the school of fine arts in the city starting in 1827. In 1837, he succeeded François-Xavier Fabre as the curator of the Musée Fabre, a position he held until his death in 1870. His contributions to the arts were recognized when he was named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1857.

Artistic Legacy and Works

Matet was primarily a portraitist, capturing hundreds of portraits of members of high society in Languedoc, alongside various genre scenes. His work has been exhibited at the Salon between 1824 and 1869. His diverse body of work includes:

As a teacher, he instructed many students, including Alexandre Cabanel, Ernest Michel, and Alfred Bruyas.

Questions & Answers

How many artworks by Charles Matet are available to browse?

You can browse 3 artworks by Charles Matet on the All Artworks page.

Can I browse Charles Matet's works by color palette?

The By Palettes page groups Charles Matet's artworks by their color palettes.

Where are Charles Matet's artworks grouped by keywords?

Charles Matet's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Charles Matet born?
Question 2:
Who was Charles Matet's teacher?
Question 3:
Which position did Matet hold at the Musée Fabre starting in 1837?
Question 4:
In what year was Matet appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor?
Question 5:
Which of these artists was a student of Charles Matet?