Matthijs Van Mierlo

Matthijs Van Mierlo is a writer and digital creator who has made it his mission to open up the world of art history with humor and a healthy dose of irreverence. He is the founder of The Gaze, a widely popular channel on Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube, where millions of viewers discover that art isn't just beautiful, but also bizarre and filled with human stories.

Since launching The Gaze in 2019, he has collaborated with major museums across Europe and the United States, from the Van Gogh Museum to the National Gallery of Art.

His debut book, Stupid Faces in Stunning Paintings, grew out of the same curiosity and playfulness that fuel his videos: a fascination with the overlooked details that make great art feel alive and relatable.

Matthijs lives and works in Antwerp, Belgium.