Navez, François-Joseph

Born Nov. 16, 1787, in Charleroi; died Oct. 12, 1869, in Brussels. Belgian painter; prominent representative of classicism in Belgium.

From 1813 to 1816, Navez studied in Paris under J. L. David. Between 1831 and 1859 he was the director of the Academy of Arts in Brussels. Navez painted expressive portraits in which rich local colors and severity of composition were combined with lifelike characterization (for example, The Hampton Family, 1815, Museum of Modern Art, Brussels). Navez’ paintings on mythological, historical, and religious themes are noted for their academic dryness.