Biography

Guillaume Dupuis graduated from the Brussels Institut supérieur de peinture Van der Kelen - Logelain in 1980. In order to further deepen his knowledge, he then pursued advanced training in fresco and lime stucco at the Center of training for the rehabilitation of architectural heritage, in Avignon, France. He restores, refurbishes and achieves contemporary projects, castles and patrimonial residences in France, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. He leaves France in 1998 to settle in Canada.

Both the educational background and professional path of this painter decorator are impressive. What arouses admiration for him, however, is unquestionably the fruit of his art: faux wood and faux marble, creased patinas, Tuscan sky replicas or subtle trompe l'oeil. Whatever the desired effect, the result is always... mystifying.

An early vocation

Decorative painting is a family tradition for this artist born in Auxerre, France. He is barely 16 years old when he is admitted at l'École des beaux-arts de Paris, and he is 18 when he achieves his first works with his father and brother: wall frescoes at the Royal Palace of Rabat, in Morocco, under the leadership of André Paccard.

After the Beaux arts, Guillaume Dupuis pursues his studies at the Brussels Van der Kelen decorative painting school, where he learns to imitate the colours of countless wood species and marble varieties, using a Flemish technique of hyperrealism. Desirous to perfect his learned skills and master the techniques of skim coating and lime stucco, the painter then attends the Center of training for the rehabilitation of architectural heritage in Avignon, France.

Palace of Versailles

Once his training completed, Guillaume Dupuis decorates haute couture boutiques such as Christian Dior's, among others, freshens up historical monuments, museums and churches – the altarpiece of the Saint Jean de Luz church, where Louis XIV got married; one of the chapels of Saint Estephe church – and puts his name on prestigious villas. As his mark gains in popularity, the artist acquires an enviable reputation. In 1984, he is entrusted with the task of refurbishing the baseboards of the Palace of Versailles: a particularly gratifying year of work, while he paints the baseboards of the monument in faux marble.