Lady in Rose

Charles Joseph Watelet was a Belgian painter born in 1867 in Beauraing. He began his artistic education at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, where he received instruction from notable figures such as Jean-François Portaels and Alfred Stevens — the latter celebrated for his refined depictions of women. Watelet’s academic training, however, was brief; after just three months, he returned to Marcinelle and supported himself for the next decade as a portrait painter, primarily catering to the upper class of Brussels.

In 1901, he settled in Uccle, a commune of Brussels, where he continued to develop his distinctive style. Women remained central to his artistic oeuvre — portrayed in a variety of moods and settings: fashionably dressed with elaborate hats, immersed in quiet contemplation, or engaged in intimate everyday activities. He also frequently painted female nudes, often placing them in sensual boudoir scenes or idyllic outdoor settings such as rivers or gardens.

Watelet’s paintings were highly appreciated during his lifetime for their elegance, subtlety, and intimacy. His refined yet spontaneous brushwork, impressionistic handling of light, and delicate color palette lent his compositions a graceful, almost lyrical quality. Whether depicting women at balls, in theatres, in salons, restaurants, or even churches, Watelet consistently conveyed a deep sense of emotional nuance — from joyous to more melancholic moments.

He enjoyed considerable success during his career, including recognition at the Paris Salons. His works are held in several major Belgian collections, including the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels, as well as museums in Liège, Charleroi, and Ixelles.

Charles Joseph Watelet is referenced in the Biographie Nationale de Belgique (BAS I) and Deux siècles de signatures d’artistes belges, confirming his position among the prominent Belgian artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.