The Portrait in the Age of Algorithmic Artists

da | Mag 17, 2025 | 🎨 Contemporary Figurative Painting, 📚 Art History and Visual Thinking

We live in a time when artificial intelligence penetrates every aspect of life: medicine, marketing, music, cinema — and now also visual art.

But what happens when the machine mimics the human face? When it simulates portraiture? Figurative painting is called upon to answer: is it still necessary?

 

 

The Face as a Mirror of Inner Life

“Mental accidents move the human face in different ways […]. Some laugh, some cry, some rejoice, some are saddened […]. These accidents must be matched by the hands, the face, and the whole body.”

— Leonardo da Vinci, Treatise on Painting, par. 282

Painting is not mechanical reproduction but embodied gesture: an inner motion made visible. Consciousness brings the face to life.

A figurative painter is not a camera, nor in competition with one (the major flaw of hyperrealism); nor is it an adversary of the prompt.

 

 

The Chiaroscuro of the Psyche

“The soft, vibrant, mobile chiaroscuro ripples the surface of the oval face, revealing both a perfectly rational clarity and an anxious, sensitive tension.”

— Giulio Carlo Argan, History of Italian Art, p. 525

The face is judgment, ambiguity, tension between inner and outer. AI-generated images do not engage with this complexity: they appear complete, yet sterile.

That’s why they feel so empty to those educated to recognize true beauty.

 

 

What AI Cannot Emulate

I came across an article by Antonella Braccia (Tony Arms) on LinkedIn, who writes with striking clarity:

“This is the difference AI cannot emulate: the ability to trigger authentic emotions and human connection through imperfection and the unique character that only human intelligence can give to a work of art.”

— Antonella Braccia (Tony Arms), LinkedIn Pulse, September 2, 2024

Read the full article

Figurative painting is not outdated: it is resistance. Resistance to algorithms that flatten, to simulations that feign emotion. It is living imperfection against sterile perfection.

 

 

Conclusion: The Face as Visual Truth

I don’t paint the face to reproduce it, but to question it.

In an era of digital simulation, the painted face — the figurative portrait — is a statement. A gesture of depth in a world satisfied with surfaces.

“Creativity is made of emotions, imperfections, and personal stories that no machine can replicate.”

Figurative painting holds onto this: the trace of the human who feels, sees, and perceives the real — not its algorithm.

👉 Discover how this vision translates into my artistic practice. Explore the section “Inside the Work” to encounter the faces I paint.

AI-generated portrait created with Sora, showing a human face divided between expressive oil painting and abstract digital geometry. A reflection on human creativity versus artificial reproduction.

Figurative Paint in the 21st Century: Resistance or Revival?

da | Mag 17, 2025 | 🎨 Contemporary Figurative Painting

In today’s world—shaped by digital languages, immersive installations, and generative algorithms—speaking about figurative painting may seem outdated, even obsolete.
Yet more than ever, the human figure answers a deep necessity: to be seen, felt, contemplated.

From the Crisis of the Figure to Its Return

During the second half of the twentieth century, the figure was nearly abandoned. Avant-garde movements, provocation (Artist’s Shit), conceptual art, and the overproduction of photography had declared the painted body obsolete.

“Each generation is, at a certain moment, in revolt against the standards of its predecessors; every work of art appeals to its contemporaries not only for what it does, but also for what it leaves undone.”

(Gombrich, The Story of Art, Phaidon, Preface)

This insight helps us understand why figurative painting today is not nostalgia. It is a critical dialogue with tradition, opening new expressive paths in the present.

Many artists return to the figure as a gesture of visual resistance—not to repeat the past, but to rebuild a direct, tactile relationship with visible matter.
Figurative painting becomes a space of proximity in an age obsessed with detachment and abstraction.

The Painter’s Gesture as Presence

Figurative painting is not merely a visual style—it is an embodied act, a slow, meditative process that stands against the compulsive flow of images in digital culture.

True pictorial gesture doesn’t aim to reproduce an image, but to generate presence.
Hyperrealism, in this sense, seems like a cold response to this need—but still a technically ambitious attempt to resolve the modern tension between art and reality.

To me, the figure is not simply a subject: it is a threshold, a memory, flesh that holds a different sense of time.

This kind of resistance is not nostalgia. It is a practice of depth in a world obsessed with surfaces.

My Position in the Debate

In my work, the human body is never a neutral subject—it is a place of transformation.
I do not paint to imitate reality, but to transfigure it poetically.

I seek a living figure, one that breathes light and silence.
A painting that doesn’t shout, but listens. One that doesn’t explain, but reveals.

This is what figurative painting means to me today: not a return, but a conscious act of presence.
Not style, but critical positioning. Not posing, but an inhabited image.

Call to Action

👉 Discover how this vision shapes my painting practice. Explore my works and thoughts on the blog.

Close-up of a male face with intense expression from the painting “Enigma” by Francesco Fieni</p> <p>

Second International Recognition for “Enigma”

Second International Recognition for “Enigma”

da | Mag 13, 2025 | 🏆Awards and Distinctions

Second International Recognition for “Enigma”: Francesco Fieni’s Work Finalist at the 2025 Target Painting Prize

“Painting is a mental thing.”
— Leonardo da Vinci, Treatise on Painting

In the field of contemporary figurative art, Enigma by Francesco Fieni stands out for its consistency, depth, and critical weight. Selected as a finalist in the 2025 Target Painting Prize, the work enters a select international circle that honors painting as a fusion of form and thought.

This marks the second international recognition for Enigma, reinforcing its status as a piece that does not merely depict — it reflects. The official page dedicated to the painting on the prize’s website view here confirms its relevance in the critical discourse.

Enigma presents itself as a balance of classical precision and visionary silence. The gesture of painting becomes an act of inquiry. The piece does not merely appeal — it provokes.

“Art is valid when it transforms knowledge into vision, and vision into knowledge.”
— Giulio Carlo Argan, Storia dell’arte italiana

Enigma inhabits precisely that territory: between thought and form, between question and image.

Discover “Enigma” at the 2024 Chianciano Biennale

👉 View the artwork page

Target Painting Prize 2025 certificate awarded to Francesco Fieni as a finalist for the painting Enigma.
A Unique Experience at London’s Crypt Gallery

A Unique Experience at London’s Crypt Gallery

da | Dic 6, 2024 | 🗓️ Exhibitions and Events

Programma della Mostra alla Crypt Gallery Dicembre 2024
Locandina ufficiale della mostra On Tour alla Crypt Gallery, Londra
Facciata della Crypt Gallery di Londra con le sue caratteristiche cariatidi e la porta rossa centrale 
Reading time: 2 minutes
I am thrilled to announce that from December 15 to 21, 2024, I will be showcasing two of my most significant works, “Enigma“ and “Gandalf, You Shall Not Pass“, in the extraordinary setting of the Crypt Gallery in London. This unique venue, with its ancient vaults and history-filled atmosphere, provides the perfect environment to breathe new life into my paintings and share them with an international audience.
  

The Crypt Gallery: Where History Meets Art

Walking through the walls of the Crypt Gallery is like immersing oneself in an atmosphere brimming with memory and mystery. Located beneath St. Pancras Church, the gallery invites introspection and contemplation. It is an ideal stage for artworks that evoke emotions and stimulate a profound dialogue with their viewers.

 

My Works on Display

 

  • “Enigma”: This painting represents my journey into the mystery of knowledge and inner exploration. By blending the pragmatic clarity of Realism with the evocative mystery of Symbolism, set against the expressive freedom of Abstract Art, I aimed to create a visual narrative that transcends the surface, inviting deep reflection.
  • “Gandalf, You Shall Not Pass”: In this work, I sought to celebrate courage and moral strength. Gandalf, in his heroic stance, becomes a symbol of protection and sacrifice—values I regard as universal and timeless.

 

Event Schedule

 

  • December 15 (Open Day):
    • 16:00: Exhibition Opening.
    • 16:30: Video Performance by Daniela Melzig.
    • 17:30: Presentation of the DNART Project.
    • 18:30: Live Performance by Elena Pazzaglia.
  • December 16-20:
    • Open to the public from 14:30 to 18:00.
  • December 21 (Closing Day):
    • Open from 9:00 to 12:00.

A Special Thanks

 

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Marina Volpi of Artexpertise Florence for her unwavering support and confidence in my work. It is thanks to her that I have the privilege of presenting these pieces in such a prestigious context and sharing them with an international audience.

 

Looking Forward to Seeing You

I hope to see you at the Crypt Gallery to experience this unique journey together. It will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in art, history, and the magic that only a place like this can offer. Don’t miss it!

 

 

Programma della Mostra alla Crypt Gallery Dicembre 2024 
Reading time: 2 minutes
I am thrilled to announce that from December 15 to 21, 2024, I will be showcasing two of my most significant works, “Enigma“ and “Gandalf, You Shall Not Pass“, in the extraordinary setting of the Crypt Gallery in London. This unique venue, with its ancient vaults and history-filled atmosphere, provides the perfect environment to breathe new life into my paintings and share them with an international audience.
  

The Crypt Gallery: Where History Meets Art

Walking through the walls of the Crypt Gallery is like immersing oneself in an atmosphere brimming with memory and mystery. Located beneath St. Pancras Church, the gallery invites introspection and contemplation. It is an ideal stage for artworks that evoke emotions and stimulate a profound dialogue with their viewers.

 

My Works on Display

 

  • “Enigma”: This painting represents my journey into the mystery of knowledge and inner exploration. By blending the pragmatic clarity of Realism with the evocative mystery of Symbolism, set against the expressive freedom of Abstract Art, I aimed to create a visual narrative that transcends the surface, inviting deep reflection.
  • “Gandalf, You Shall Not Pass”: In this work, I sought to celebrate courage and moral strength. Gandalf, in his heroic stance, becomes a symbol of protection and sacrifice—values I regard as universal and timeless.

 

Event Schedule

 

December 15 (Opening Day):

    • 16:00: Exhibition Opening.
    • 16:30: Video Performance by Daniela Melzig.
    • 17:30: Presentation of the DNART Project.
    • 18:30: Live Performance by Elena Pazzaglia.
  • December 16-20:
    • Open to the public from 14:30 to 18:00.
  • December 21 (Closing Day):
    • Open from 9:00 to 12:00.

A Special Thanks

 

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Marina Volpi of Artexpertise Florence for her unwavering support and confidence in my work. It is thanks to her that I have the privilege of presenting these pieces in such a prestigious context and sharing them with an international audience.

 

Looking Forward to Seeing You

I hope to see you at the Crypt Gallery to experience this unique journey together. It will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in art, history, and the magic that only a place like this can offer. Don’t miss it!

 

 

Locandina ufficiale della mostra On Tour alla Crypt Gallery, Londra
Facciata della Crypt Gallery di Londra con le sue caratteristiche cariatidi e la porta rossa centrale
Carlo Dolci (1616-1687): A Master of the Baroque and My Source of Inspiration

Carlo Dolci (1616-1687): A Master of the Baroque and My Source of Inspiration

da | Set 9, 2024 | 📚 Art History and Visual Thinking

Studio per la realizzazione di una copia dell'opera San Pietro riceve le chiavi, di Carlo dolci. Grafite su carta. 10x14cm

Carlo Dolci (1616-1687): A Baroque Master and a Personal Source of Inspiration

Reading time: 4 minutes

In an artist’s journey, certain figures stand out for their sensitivity, technical mastery, and ability to capture the spiritual essence of their subjects. Carlo Dolci, a 17th-century Florentine painter, is one such figure, and he has had a significant influence on my artistic development. A few years ago, I visited a wonderful exhibition dedicated to this painter in Florence and eventually purchased the publication “Carlo Dolci 1616-1687”, curated by Sandro Bellesi and Anna Bisceglia.
A book filled with insights, celebrating this extraordinary master’s work and offering a deep, thoughtful look at his life and artistic production.
Dolci is known for his extraordinary attention to detail and his ability to infuse his paintings with an aura of sacredness.
His works are not merely religious representations but true visual dialogues with the divine, where light, color, and the emotional expressions of the faces create a sense of transcendence.
A painting that particularly struck me was “Saint Peter Receiving the Keys”, which I personally reproduced during an important period of my artistic journey and which is now part of a private collection.

The Rediscovery of Carlo Dolci

The publication curated by Bellesi and Bisceglia is a fundamental resource for those, like me, who want to deeply understand Dolci’s artistic evolution. Through a meticulous historical and artistic analysis, the book explores not only his most famous works but also lesser-known aspects of his production. It highlights his ability to blend realism and mysticism in works that remain suspended between the earthly and the eternal.
One of the aspects I’ve always admired about Carlo Dolci is his profound spirituality, evident in every brushstroke. His painting is imbued with a devotion that conveys an intense emotional connection to the sacred subject. His portrayal of saints, as in the case of Saint Peter, is not just a representation of a historical or religious event, but a window into inner life and personal faith.

Dolci’s Impact on My Painting

Dolci taught me the importance of patience and attention to detail. A lesson for the modern painter, who cannot be satisfied with merely copying photographs but must go beyond technical perfection to reach a communicative dimension unique to painting. Recreating his “Saint Peter Receiving the Keys” was for me a complex and enriching journey, allowing me to explore and experiment closely with the techniques he used to create a sense of three-dimensionality and emotional intensity. Although aware of the master’s unreachable stylistic excellence, through his work, I learned that every brushstroke can be an act of contemplation, an attempt to capture the invisible essence behind the visible.
The depth of his color palette and the delicacy with which he handles light and shadow are aspects that I constantly strive to integrate into my painting. Observing his masterpieces is like reading an unwritten manual on how to paint with the soul.

Conclusion

The publication “Carlo Dolci 1616-1687” is essential reading for those wishing to delve into the work of this great master. For me, Carlo Dolci is not just an artist of the past, but a constant point of reference, a silent guide who inspires me to perfect my technique and explore the spiritual dimension of painting.
In my artistic journey, reproducing “Saint Peter Receiving the Keys” was a pivotal moment, a personal homage to a painter who has left an indelible mark on the history of art and on my heart as an artist.
Studio per la realizzazione di una copia dell'opera San Pietro riceve le chiavi, di Carlo dolci. Grafite su carta. 10x14cm

 Tempo di lettura: 4 minuti

Nel percorso di un’artista ci sono figure che emergono per la loro sensibilità, maestria tecnica e capacità di catturare l’essenza spirituale dei soggetti. Carlo Dolci, pittore fiorentino del Seicento, è una di queste figure, e ha avuto un’influenza determinante sulla mia formazione artistica. Qualche anno fa visitai una meravigliosa mostra dedicata a questo pittore a Firenze  ed infine acquistai  la pubblicazione “Carlo Dolci 1616-1687”, curata da Sandro Bellesi e Anna Bisceglia.
Un’opera densa di spunti che celebra l’opera di questo straordinario maestro, offrendo uno sguardo approfondito e attento sulla sua vita e produzione artistica.
Dolci è conosciuto per la sua straordinaria attenzione ai dettagli e la sua capacità di infondere un’aura di sacralità nei suoi dipinti.
Le sue opere non sono solo rappresentazioni religiose, ma veri e propri dialoghi visivi con il divino, dove la luce, i colori e l’espressione emotiva dei volti creano un senso di trascendenza.
Un dipinto che mi ha particolarmente colpito fu “San Pietro riceve le Chiavi”, che ho personalmente riprodotto in un periodo importante del mio percorso artistico, e che ora fa parte di una collezione privata.
 

La Riscoperta di Carlo Dolci

La pubblicazione a cura di Bellesi e Bisceglia rappresenta un contributo fondamentale per chi, come me, ha voluto comprendere a fondo l’evoluzione artistica di Dolci. Attraverso una meticolosa analisi storica e artistica, il volume esplora non solo le opere più conosciute, ma anche aspetti meno noti della sua produzione. Viene sottolineata la sua capacità di fondere realismo e misticismo in opere che rimangono sospese tra il terreno e l’eterno.

Uno degli aspetti che ho sempre ammirato di Carlo Dolci è la sua profonda spiritualità, evidente in ogni pennellata. La sua pittura è intrisa di una devozione che riesce a comunicare un’intensa connessione emotiva con il soggetto sacro. La sua interpretazione dei santi, come nel caso di San Pietro, non si limita a rappresentare un evento storico o religioso, ma diventa una finestra sull’interiorità e sul rapporto personale con la fede.

 

L’Impatto di Dolci sulla Mia Pittura

Dolci mi ha insegnato l’importanza della pazienza e della cura del dettaglio. Una lezione per il  pittore moderno che non può soddisfarsi nel ricopiare fotografie ma dopo aver approfondito il dettaglio deve oltrepassare il limite tecnico per raggiungere una dimensione comunicativa propria solo della pittura. Ricreare il suo“San Pietro riceve le Chiavi” è stato per me un viaggio complesso e arricchente, che mi ha permesso di avvicinarmi e sperimentare da vicino le tecniche che utilizza per creare un senso di tridimensionalità e intensità
emotiva. Seppur cosciente della cifra stilistica inarrivabile del maestro, attraverso la sua opera, ho appreso che ogni tratto del pennello può essere un atto di contemplazione, un tentativo di cogliere l’essenza invisibile che si nasconde dietro il visibile.

La profondità della sua tavolozza cromatica e la delicatezza con cui tratta la luce e le ombre sono aspetti che cerco costantemente di integrare nella mia pittura. Guardare ai suoi capolavori è come leggere un manuale non scritto su come dipingere con l’anima.

 

Conclusione

La pubblicazione “Carlo Dolci 1616-1687” rappresenta una lettura imprescindibile per chi desidera
avvicinarsi all’opera di questo grande maestro. Per me, Carlo Dolci non è solo un artista del passato, ma un
costante punto di riferimento, una guida silenziosa che mi ispira a perfezionare la mia tecnica e a esplorare
la dimensione spirituale della pittura.

Nel mio percorso artistico, riprodurre “San Pietro riceve le Chiavi” è stato un momento cruciale, un omaggio personale a un pittore che ha saputo lasciare un’impronta indelebile nella storia dell’arte e nel mio cuore di artista.