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.
