Theodore Joseph Canneel was a Belgian painter, whose works are in the possession of the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent and the Groeningemuseum in Bruges.

He married in Ghent on 25 April 1851 with Clemence Isore-EemanTheodore descended from a long line of Bruges. The surname is mentioned in the book burgher of 1397. His grandfather was Francis Canneel fishmonger in Bruges; his father Joseph Canneel was foreman in the printing business, De Busscher. This printing was originally located in Bruges, but in 1815, with the fall of the French Empire , the buildings were looted. As a result, the printing same year moved to Ghent, and Father Joseph Canneel moved along.

Theodore began in 1830 at the age of 13 as a lithographer in the printing plant where his father worked. He then became assistant in the studio of the painter Hans Pieter Van Laere. From 1838 to 1841 he combined his work with a course at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent. There he became a teacher in 1843 teacher.From 1848 to 1850 he undertook a study visit Rome. On his return in 1850 he was appointed Director of the Ghent Academy.

In 1869 he became Inspector of Schools and Academies Character of Belgium. For his services he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Leopold, the highest Belgian award.