Noel Dumolard, The Dream, 1970s, Oil on Canvas, Framed

This captivating painting, entitled "Rêve Surréaliste", is a magnificent oil on canvas by French artist Noel Dumolard. It embodies a dreamlike scene, born of the artist's imagination.
Three distinct elements emerge from this artistic composition. In the foreground, the bewitching face of a young brunette woman immediately catches the eye. Her hair seems to float gracefully in the water, creating a sensation of fluidity and lightness. Water, an essential element in this work, establishes a visual link with the house in the background.
The house, surrealistically depicted, appears swollen and distorted, as if animated with a life of its own. Water escapes from its openings, creating a cascade of foam that spreads through the door and window. This symbolic representation evokes an ongoing transformation, a passage from the inside to the outside, from the intimate world to the unknown.
The painting also features a young man, a dandy elegantly dressed in white. His eyes closed, he sits in a rattan armchair, seeming to let himself be carried away by the dreamlike atmosphere that surrounds him. His hand holds a pipe from which bubbles are escaping, adding a touch of magic and fantasy to the whole. At her feet, red roses, emblems of passion and romance, float delicately in the water, reinforcing the contrast between reality and fantasy.
Water acts as a common thread, harmoniously linking these three elements of the painting. It symbolizes the flow of life, the fluidity of emotions and the interconnectedness of beings. It also represents a powerful force capable of transforming and giving life to dreams and aspirations.
Noel Dumolard's work transports us into a surreal, poetic universe, where reality blends with the imaginary. Meticulously painted details, rich colors and subtle contrasts create an enchanting atmosphere that invites viewers to plunge into this dreamlike world and let themselves be carried away by their own inner journey.

Noël Dumolard (1925-1989) - A Visionary Painter and Master of Dreams

Noël Dumolard, born in 1925, was a French painter, printmaker, lithographer, and illustrator. He was also renowned as a muralist and interior decorator. Hailing from a family of industrialists in Voiron, Dumolard spent his formative years in Grenoble. He was drawn to pursue an artistic career and obtained his diploma from the Grenoble School of Fine Arts before relocating to Paris during World War II.

Dumolard began his painting career during the era of abstract art dominance, yet he never abandoned the distinctive style that characterized his work. His canvases, distinguished by a highly recognizable palette, were imbued with surreal and fantastical inspirations. Demonstrating remarkable technical mastery, he brought to life imaginative dreamscapes bursting with creativity.