The Quest

Inspiration for my painting "The Quest" comes directly from Jacques Brel’s iconic song of the same name:

“To dream the impossible dream,
To bear the sorrow of farewells,
To burn with an unlikely fever,
To travel where none has ever dared...
(...) That is my quest, to follow the star;
I care not for my chances,
Nor for the time required,
Or for my despair,
And so to struggle always,
Without questions, without rest,
To be damned for the gold of a word of love;
I do not know whether I will be that hero,
But my heart will be at peace,
And cities will be awash in blue
Because one unfortunate soul,
Still burns, though all is burnt,
Still burns, even too much, even badly,
To strive, to reach, to tear oneself apart,
To attain the unreachable star.”

This painting evokes a journey into the unknown, in search of a light, an unattainable star that both guides and inspires.

Vivid, saturated colors illuminate and attempt to breathe life into the darker parts of the canvas, giving the whole work a tranquil, contemplative atmosphere. Dynamic forms create an ascending movement toward this ideal that seems forever beyond reach, suggesting an ongoing exploration.

The textures and layers of color suggest depth and complexity, echoing the difficulty of any personal quest, especially when one is aware that no answer will ever be definitive, for nothing is certain, all remains to be discovered: who are we? Where are we going? Why? And so forth…

"The Quest" is a painting that inspires perseverance, determination, and faith in oneself, but above all in something greater—something essential; a work inviting both reflection and contemplation.

This painting is an invitation to follow your own path, to pursue your dreams despite obstacles, to “reach the unreachable star,” even when the destination is unknown and the chosen road is but one among countless possibilities…

To my painting, I add these few words:

In the vast sky, the solitary star
Shines intensely, far beyond all borders,
It is so distant, nearly unreachable,
Yet I pursue it, it is my only aim.
I am the hero of my own quest,
Searching above for the perfect light,
Ready to sacrifice everything for it,
Which endlessly gives wings to my heart.
My colors are splinters of life,
Movements unfettered, gestures without end,
I paint my blue path toward the unknown,
With a faith that nothing has betrayed.
My brush is as a mighty sword,
My stretched canvas, a battlefield,
For the fair star that ever guides me,
I believe I could overturn all evil;
There shall never be a fear too great,
By joining hands, I have found calm within,
My blackest foes are now disarmed.