Elisabeth Seldron

The Brussels-based artist Elisabeth Seldron (ca. 1681/82-1761) achieved artistic mastery of the very highest level. First with her paintings of landscapes, market scenes and village festivals and then afterwards as a court painter. Her monumental work is still on show for you to admire at Saint Martin’s Church in Lierde.

A court painter from Brussels

Elisabeth Seldron’s artistic career began in 1702. In that year, she enrolled in the prestigious Guild of Saint Luke for artists in Brussels. There, she received her training and developed her own style. Elisabeth specialised in landscapes and so-called genre pieces: market scenes and village festivals. Her private life also had an artistic edge, as a result of her marriage to the sculptor and architect Nicolaas Simons.

Elisabeth’s talent did not go unnoticed. Very soon, she would gain access to the very highest circles. From 1735 onwards, she worked as court painter for Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria in Brussels. The works she created during that period include an impressive six-part religious cycle for Saint Martin’s Church in Lierde.

Elisabeth Seldron H_Bruno_© Gemeente Lierde

Elisabeth Seldron - Sint-Martinuskerk, Lierde

Elisabeth Seldron in Flanders

The majority of Elisabeth Seldron’s works are in private collections, but you can still see some of her masterpieces yourself.

You can still admire her impressive religious cycle Scenes from the Life of Saint Bruno in Saint Martin’s Church in Lierde, the place for which it was painted. There, you can also discover two overdoors that she created, as well as the painting of Our Lady and Jesus.