The new series of Dureau’s paintings includes a major painting “Mardi Gras ’01.” The paintings are again distinguished by the artist’s singular ability to render the beauty of the human figure in compositions inspired by allegorical scenes from great paintings and sculpture in western art.

After years of study in the Abstract Expressionist School of the 1950’s, the artist realized that his natural draftsman ability was leading him to pursue figurative work. Referring to himself as a “Classical-Romantic”, the artist composes his subjects with control and clear intention, then proceeds to paint them with passion and abandon.