Patrick Faure Blends Surrealism and Philosophy to Create Timeless Works of Art

The Fusion Of Classical Techniques And Modern Vision
Patrick Faure discusses his artistic evolution, blending classical techniques with surrealism, his philosophical influences, and the narratives behind his intricate, thought-provoking paintings that challenge perceptions and invite introspection.
Art has the power to transcend time, to challenge perceptions, and to evoke emotions that words often fail to capture. Few artists embody this transformative essence as profoundly as Patrick Faure, a master of contemporary surrealism whose works are as intellectually stimulating as they are visually mesmerizing. With a brush dipped in philosophy and a palette inspired by the Mediterranean’s ethereal beauty, Faure creates paintings that are not merely seen but experienced—each one a portal into a world where reality and imagination collide.
Patrick Faure is not just an artist; he is a storyteller, a philosopher, and a visionary. His art is a symphony of color, texture, and narrative, blending the meticulous techniques of the Old Masters with the daring innovation of modern surrealism. From the dreamlike stillness of Paul Delvaux to the enigmatic architecture of Giorgio de Chirico, Faure draws from a rich tapestry of influences, yet his work is unmistakably his own. His paintings are layered with meaning, inviting viewers to journey through the visual, the historical, and the metaphysical, uncovering new depths with every glance.
What sets Faure apart is his ability to weave profound existential questions into the fabric of his art. His canvases are not just images but philosophical explorations, challenging us to confront the fragility of human existence and the mysteries of the subconscious. Whether through the haunting blues of his Mediterranean-inspired palette or the intricate narratives that accompany each piece, Faure’s work resonates on a deeply personal level, leaving an indelible mark on all who encounter it.

In this exclusive interview, WOWwART magazine delves into the mind of this extraordinary artist, exploring the journey that shaped his unique vision, the cultural and intellectual influences that define his work, and the creative process that brings his surreal worlds to life. As Patrick Faure graces the cover of this issue, we celebrate not only his remarkable talent but also his unwavering commitment to authenticity and artistic integrity. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and utterly captivated by the genius of Patrick Faure—a true luminary in the world of contemporary art.
How did your artistic journey begin, and what inspired you to pursue painting?
My artistic journey finds its roots in the influence of my two grandmothers, who opened my eyes to the power of art. My maternal grandmother introduced me to the evocative world of Italian surrealist painting through Giorgio de Chirico, while my paternal grandmother immersed me in the luminous beauty of French Impressionism. I was less than ten years old at the time, yet I was utterly captivated by the magic these artists brought to life on canvas. It was in those formative moments that I knew I wanted to create art that could evoke the same wonder and emotion.
Many of your works depict intricate and surreal imagery. What draws you to this style, and how do you develop such unique concepts?
My artwork is inspired and influenced by several master artists, each contributing unique elements that shape my creative vision. The works of Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, Giorgio de Chirico, Paul Delvaux, and Salvador Dalí have left a profound impact on my approach to art.
The intricate and surreal compositions of Bosch and Dalí inspire me to create detailed and imaginative scenes that captivate the viewer’s attention. The symbolic landscapes and enigmatic figures in Bruegel and Delvaux’s works encourage me to use my settings and characters to convey deeper meanings and narratives.
The exploration of the human psyche, morality, and the passage of time in the works of these artists profoundly shapes the themes I explore in my art. I blend a metaphysical approach and the dreamlike quality in my paintings to delve into the realms of the subconscious and the surreal, creating art that challenges perceptions and invites introspection.
The meticulous attention to detail and the blending of reality with fantasy in Dalí’s work motivate me to refine my techniques and strive for a high level of precision in my paintings. The use of light and shadow, architectural elements, and atmospheric effects in the works of these artists influence my stylistic choices, helping me create visually compelling and thought-provoking pieces.
The collective influence of these five artists can be seen in the themes, compositions, and techniques present in my artwork.

By drawing inspiration from these masters, I aim to create art that not only captivates the eye but also engages the mind, inviting viewers to explore the deeper layers of meaning within each piece. My paintings can be understood on three levels: visual, where the piece is simply retinal, historic, where the viewer understands the scene and the elements of the scene, and metaphysical, where the true meaning of the painting is anchored.
How does your cultural background or life experiences influence your artistic themes?
My cultural heritage is at the very heart of the art I create. I was raised on the historic Via Julia, with the monumental Mausoleum of Augustus towering above the mountain near my childhood home. I consider myself fundamentally a product of Roman civilization, deeply rooted in its legacy.
During my formative years, I was profoundly influenced by the great thinkers of France—Diderot, Voltaire, Descartes, Camus, and Sartre. These luminaries shaped my intellectual foundation, and when I formally studied philosophy, their works became central to my education. Later, I delved into the existential and metaphysical depths of Kafka, Heidegger, and Nietzsche. Their ideas resonate throughout my work, with the influence of Camus, Kafka, and Heidegger especially evident in the narratives embedded within my paintings. I often say I am not just an artist—I am a philosopher who became an artist.
My art is an expression of my culture, but it is also deeply tied to the Mediterranean environment that surrounds me. The Mediterranean’s unique reality invites one to dream, and this dreamlike quality infuses all of my paintings. It is a reflection of the world I inhabit, a fusion of my philosophical journey and the evocative beauty of my homeland.
Can you share your approach to combining traditional and modern techniques in your artwork?
I am entirely self-taught, a path shaped by necessity rather than choice, as my parents were firmly against me pursuing a career as an artist. Determined, I spent countless hours in museums, studying the works of the great classical masters to uncover their secrets. The Louvre in Paris and the Royal Art Museum in Brussels became my classrooms, and it was there that I honed my ability to paint portraits, marking the beginning of my artistic journey as a portrait painter.
However, my fascination with surrealism led me to push beyond traditional techniques. I began merging the classical methods of layered varnishing I had studied with contemporary forms and expressions. This evolution became central to my work, as I focused on achieving a rare luminosity in my paintings—something that few artists today fully realize. My medium of choice remains oil, as its richness and depth are instrumental in capturing the light and vibrancy I seek.

In many ways, my style is a fusion of Brueghel’s precision and layered complexity with Dali’s imaginative and surreal vision—a unique blend of timeless technique and modern storytelling.
Your paintings often feature a strong narrative element. How do you craft the stories within your art?
All of my paintings begin with a narrative. The composition is designed to convey the idea or myth I aim to explore through the work. Take, for instance, my painting Ozymandias, inspired by Shelley’s iconic poem. Before starting the piece, I immersed myself in the poem, rereading it several times to absorb its essence. I then reimagined the story, weaving in elements of Camusian existentialism, an interpretation Shelley could not have anticipated. From this interplay of sources, I created an entirely new narrative.
Once the painting is complete, I craft a written story to accompany it. Some of my more intricate works could easily evolve into short stories, blending surrealism, existentialism, and Kafkaesque undertones. Each painting is inseparable from its narrative, with the visual and the written elements complementing and enriching one another.
What role does color and texture play in your creative process, and how do you use them to evoke emotion?
Color is a cornerstone of my artistic expression, serving as both a visual and emotional guide through my narratives. My paintings are predominantly infused with blue pigments, a choice deeply rooted in my Mediterranean upbringing. The azure skies, the vast expanse of the sea, and the ethereal quality of light in this region have profoundly influenced my palette. Blue, for me, is not merely a color but a vehicle for storytelling, a tone that evokes depth, mystery, and introspection. It allows me to craft dreamlike atmospheres that resonate with the themes of my work.
Achieving the perfect blue has been a journey of dedication and experimentation. I have spent years refining the hues that best align with the mood and narrative of each painting. Whether it is a luminous, celestial blue or a darker, more brooding shade, the blues I use are carefully chosen to draw viewers into the dreamscapes I create.
Complementing this dominant blue are earthy tones, which are a constant presence in my work. These natural pigments ground my paintings, creating a balance between the ethereal and the tangible. The warm, muted earth tones juxtaposed against the cool, expansive blues establish a harmony that is both pleasing to the eye and evocative of the Mediterranean landscapes that inspire me.
By working with this deliberately limited palette, I find the freedom to focus on subtle variations and interplay between hues. This restraint allows me to enhance the emotional and narrative depth of my paintings. Each shade contributes to an atmosphere that is immersive and thought-provoking, inviting the viewer into a surreal world where the boundaries between reality and imagination dissolve.
Ultimately, color in my work is not merely aesthetic, it is narrative. Every hue, every tone is chosen to enhance the story I wish to tell, drawing the viewer into a space that is as vivid emotionally as it is visually.
How has your work evolved over the years, and are there particular milestones or periods of transformation in your career?
As I mentioned earlier, my artistic journey began with portraiture. However, inspired by the intricate surrealism of Paul Delvaux, I ventured into creating complex surrealistic works, marking the beginning of what I call my Surrealism Generation 1. These early pieces were predominantly watercolors, smaller in size and focused on exploring surrealist narratives within a constrained, intimate format. This phase allowed me to develop my unique voice and establish a foundation for more ambitious work.
As I evolved, my art grew in both scale and complexity. marked the transition to Surrealism Generation 2, characterized by much larger works that combined graphite and oil paint. These pieces stand apart in the art world for their fusion of meticulous drawing and the luminous depth of oil painting. Despite their uniqueness and technical achievements, I found these grander works lacking in personal fulfillment. They taught me valuable lessons about scale and composition but did not fully align with the artistic essence I sought to capture.
Eventually, I arrived at what you are familiar with today: Surrealism Generation 3. In this phase, I returned to smaller paintings, focusing on the intricate, layered storytelling that defines my current work. These pieces are intimate yet expansive, each one encapsulating a world within its frame. They integrate the narrative depth of surrealism with the refined techniques I have honed over years of experimentation.
The milestones in this transformation were not abrupt or predefined but rather a gradual evolution. With each phase, I gained insight into what I wanted to express and how I wanted to express it. It was a journey of self-discovery, where each shift felt natural, a realization that my art needed to adapt to reflect my changing vision and priorities.
Today, my Surrealism Generation 3 paintings are the culmination of this artistic evolution. They carry forward the narrative richness and technical mastery of my earlier works, distilled into a form that feels authentically mine.
Are there specific artists, movements, or historical periods that have significantly influenced your work?
My greatest inspiration in creating the dreamlike worlds that characterize my paintings has always been Paul Delvaux. His ability to balance surrealism with an almost cinematic stillness profoundly influenced the atmospheric quality of my work. Giorgio de Chirico’s earlier pieces, with their enigmatic architectural landscapes, served as the foundation for the architectural backdrops that often frame my narratives. These elements of classical surrealism have been integral to shaping my artistic identity.
Today, however, I must acknowledge that Salvador Dalí has become my most significant source of inspiration. I often immerse myself in his works to understand how he transcended conventional art forms. Yet, when I begin my own paintings, I make a conscious effort to put his influence aside. This deliberate separation allows me to remain true to my unique vision and contribute to the evolution of contemporary surrealism, rather than simply emulating his style.
When it comes to historical influences, the Flemish Primitives of the 15th century are an enduring source of fascination for me. Artists like Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden inspire my attention to detail and my use of layered narratives within a single composition. The works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Hieronymus Bosch have also left an indelible mark on my approach to storytelling through art. Their ability to depict complex, multifaceted scenes filled with allegory and symbolism resonates deeply with my artistic philosophy.
These influences converge in my work, blending the dreamlike surrealism of Delvaux and Dalí with the precision and narrative depth of the Flemish masters. My goal is not to replicate their styles but to draw from their essence to create a contemporary surrealism that feels timeless yet relevant. Each painting becomes a dialogue between the past and the present, a bridge connecting historical tradition with modern expression.
What challenges do you face as an artist, and how do you overcome creative blocks?
I face no challenges when it comes to creating art. My mind is like a gallery filled with future paintings, each one vivid and waiting to be brought to life. When I close my eyes, I feel like a visitor wandering through a museum of works yet to be painted. Inspiration flows effortlessly, and I never struggle to find the next idea or image to translate onto the canvas.
The real challenges arise after the creation process, specifically in the logistics of transporting my paintings from my various studios to galleries for exhibitions. This is especially true for my larger works, which can be quite difficult to ship due to their size and fragility. Ensuring their safe arrival while maintaining their pristine condition is often a complex and time-consuming task, but it’s a necessary part of sharing my art with the world.
What advice would you give to aspiring painters looking to carve their own path in the art world?
I find it difficult to give advice to aspiring painters because each of us must forge our own unique path. However, I can share a few principles that I personally adhere to, things I would never do in my artistic journey.
First, I would never take advice on what or how to paint, or on which style to adopt. Art is deeply personal, and allowing others to dictate your creative vision is the quickest way to lose your authenticity.
Second, I would never allow anyone to “correct” my work. Comments like “the sky is too dark” or suggestions to change elements of a painting undermine the integrity of my vision. Art is not about meeting someone else’s expectations but about staying true to your own.
Third, I would ensure that any gallery I collaborate with aligns closely with my artistic vision and philosophy. It’s not enough for an artist to simply be represented: they need to partner with the right gallery. Additionally, I see it as the artist responsibility to maintain a strong connection their audience, as it enhances the gallery’s ability to engage with collectors and amplifies the overall impact of the artist’s work.
Ultimately, the key is to remain unwaveringly true to yourself and your art. The path may not always be straightforward, but authenticity and independence are invaluable