Mattheus van Beveren was a Flemish sculptor and architect who was born in 1630 in Antwerp, then part of the Spanish Netherlands. His work is representative of the Baroque style that flourished in Europe during the 17th century. Van Beveren is known for his dynamic and dramatic sculptures, which often featured religious themes and were executed with a high degree of technical skill.
Van Beveren was trained in the workshop of Artus Quellinus the Elder, one of the most prominent sculptors in Antwerp at the time. This education provided him with a solid foundation in the techniques and styles of Baroque sculpture. He became a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1654, which marked the beginning of his professional career as an independent artist.
Throughout his career, Mattheus van Beveren produced a number of notable works, including altarpieces, funerary monuments, and freestanding sculptures. His sculptures were often characterized by their intricate details and the emotive expressions of their figures. He worked with a variety of materials, including marble, wood, and ivory, and his works can be found in churches and private collections across Europe.
Despite his evident talent and contributions to the field of sculpture, Mattheus van Beveren did not achieve the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini or François Duquesnoy. Nevertheless, his works are still appreciated by art historians and collectors for their craftsmanship and artistic merit.
Van Beveren's career spanned several decades, and his influence was felt in the works of other artists in the region. He also played a role in the architectural developments of his time, although his contributions in this field are less documented. Mattheus van Beveren died in 1690 in Antwerp. Today, his surviving works continue to be studied and admired for their embodiment of the Baroque spirit and their place in the rich tapestry of Flemish art history.