Francisco Vieira de Mattos

Francisco Vieira de Mattos was an artist active during the late Baroque and early eighteenth century, with documented activity spanning the years 1699 to 1731. His preserved oeuvre consists primarily of preparatory drawings and a single print held in major American institutions, establishing his practice across multiple mediums.

The five works currently represented in museum collections demonstrate proficiency in various subject types, including religious history and classical mythology. Examples of his engagement with Christian iconography include the narrative scene Adoration of the Shepherds and the paired figures of Saint Francis Meeting Saint Dominic. His mythological output is evidenced by the detailed drawing Neptune pursuing Coronis; Minerva interposes herself and turns Coronis into a crow. Additionally, the presence of a technical study, such as Copy after Drawing by Carlo Maratta, indicates that Vieira de Mattos engaged directly with the formal lessons of earlier masters.

Four drawings and one print attributed to Francisco Vieira de Mattos are preserved in institutional archives, including holdings at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the total output of Francisco Vieira de Mattos prints is unknown, the surviving works ensure his study by contemporary scholars. Many of these historical images are now entering the public domain, allowing for the creation of high-quality prints and downloadable artwork for research and appreciation.