MATHIEU_1976

Mathieu_1976: From the Streets to Eternity, Reinventing the Angel

Mathieu_1976 is a French artist emerging from the graffiti culture and street art movement of the 1990s. He began tagging in Paris in 1992 before creating his first mural in 1994 alongside ZORK 531 on a legal wall at his high school campus in San Francisco.

Upon returning to France, he immersed himself in industrial wastelands, abandoned factories, and neglected walls, painting for entire days—while continuing to work on mobile surfaces at night.

The figure of the cherub has become the defining element of his work. Drawing inspiration from antique sculpture, classical iconography, and Baroque frescoes, Mathieu_1976 reinterprets this universal symbol through a distinctly contemporary visual language.His practice is characterized by:

• Academic mastery of figurative drawing
• Subtle and precise chiaroscuro techniques
• Instinctive, splattered backgrounds rooted in graffiti culture
• A strong contrast between classical tradition and urban energy

This tension between historical heritage and street culture gives his work a singular identity within the landscape of contemporary urban art.

The cherubs of Mathieu_1976 are not mere art historical references. They become suspended, meditative figures inviting contemplation. Through them, the artist explores themes of innocence, transmission, generosity, and spirituality in a visual language that is both accessible and contemporary.

His palettes—often defined by deep blacks, luminous whites, and golden tones—reinforce the timeless quality of his compositions while preserving the spontaneity inherent to street art.