Eugène Romain Van Maldeghen

EUGÈNE ROMAIN VAN MALDEGHEM (Belgium, 1813 - 1867).
"Gentleman," 1862.
Graphite on paper.
Signed on the back and dated in the middle right area.
Presents the artist's stamp in the lower right area.
Measurements: 38 x 28 cm; 44,5 x 34,5 cm (frame).
Roman became a painter following in the footsteps of his older brother, Jan Baptist Van Maldeghem (Dentergem 1793 - Brussels 1841). He was also the brother of the composers Robert Julien Van Maldeghem (Dentergem 1806 - Ixelles 1893) and Etienne Evarist Van Maldeghem (Dentergem 1808 - Ixelles 1875). As the son of the master Justin-Evariste Van Maldeghem (Lotenhulle 1773 - Wingene 1830), he acquired great fame as a painter of mainly religious scenes. He also painted members of the royal family. In 1838 he won the Rome Prize for painting. With this scholarship he stayed in Rome and Naples in the years 1842-1843. In his hometown, two of his works hang in the church. In Dentergem he is also called a street name. He was briefly (1852-1853) director of the Academy of Free Art in Bruges. In 1859, together with his two brothers who were still alive, he received recognition for belonging to the old noble family of Van Maldeghem.