Madou

Madou is a surname of Belgian origin. The most notable bearer is Jean-Baptiste Madou (1796–1877), a Belgian painter, lithographer and designer associated with the Belgian Romantic School. He produced a wide range of genre scenes, portraits and historical subjects, and his work helped shape 19th-century Belgian art. His career extended across Brussels and Paris, contributing to the broader diffusion of Belgian Romanticism in Europe.

In Brussels, the name Madou is commemorated in public space and transit, most prominently by the Madou metro station, named in honor of the painter. The station serves central Brussels and connects multiple lines of the city’s metro network, reflecting the cultural impact of Madou in the capital region.

Beyond the painter himself, the surname Madou has appeared in various cultural and public contexts in Belgium, particularly in institutions and sites associated with the arts. As a result, the name Madou is commonly encountered in discussions of 19th-century Belgian art and its legacy in Brussels.