Mattheus Terwesten

Mattheus Terwesten
'Selfportrait ca. 1705.
Born	February 23, 1670(1670-02-23) the Hague
Died	June 11, 1757(1757-06-11) Berlin
Nationality	Nederland
Field	Painting, engraver

Mattheus Terwesten (1670–1757) was a Dutch painter of portraits, architectural, and historical themes. He was court painter to Frederick William I of Prussia and professor of the art academy in Berlin.

Biography

Mattheus Terwesten studied with his brother Augustinus Terwesten, Willem Doudyns, and Daniel Mijtens the Younger. In 1695 he traveled via Berlin to Rome, where he stayed until 1699.^[1] In Rome he became a member of the painters' circle known as the Bentvueghels, where he earned the nickname "Arend", or eagle. In 1710 he joined his older brother Augustinus and younger brother Ezaias, and when Augustinus died in 1711, he succeeded him as court painter in Berlin, while Ezaias went to Italy, where he married and settled permanently.^[2]

His pupils were Herman Diederik Cuipers, Pieter van Cuyck (I), Jan van Gool, Johan Graham, Hendrik van Hulst, Jacob van Nachenius, Andries Storck, and his two sons Augustinus (II) and Pieter Terwesten.

He is remembered today for his portraits, but also for his wall and ceiling decorations with historical allegories.

References

1. ^ Mattheus in the RKD
2. ^ Ezaias in the RKD

• (Dutch) Augustinus Terwesten biography in De groote schouburgh der Nederlantsche konstschilders en schilderessen (1718) by Arnold Houbraken, courtesy of the Digital library for Dutch literature

Persondata
Name	Terwesten, Mattheus
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 23, 1670
Place of birth	the Hague
Date of death	June 11, 1757
Place of death	Berlin