Reclaiming Masterpieces Through Digital Abstraction

The Art Treasures Series is a digital art collection by Denis Leclerc that reinterprets classical masterpieces through abstract art. Rather than copying or quoting the past, Denis engages in a process of reappropriation. Using his iPad, he imports high-resolution reproductions of public domain artworks—iconic pieces that belong to our shared cultural heritage. From there, the transformation begins.

Art Treasures  Series Is Not a Copy but a Repatriation

Each work in the Art Treasures series begins with a careful observation of a historical painting. Denis does not replicate its subject or composition. Instead, he disassembles the image into its most elemental forms: colour gradients, directional lines, and tonal zones. Through this act of digital deconstruction, the original dissolves into something new—an abstract presence, suspended between memory and invention.

A Contemporary Gesture Rooted in Art History

This practice reflects a broader trend in contemporary art: the ethical reuse of cultural materials. However, Denis adds a layer of intimacy to the process. The screen becomes a studio. The gestures are his own. And while the source is recognizable to the trained eye, the result is an entirely personal encounter with art history. The past is not quoted—it is felt, fractured, and reassembled.

Prints and Unique Editions

All works are printed on Hahnemühle museum-grade paper, chosen for its exceptional texture and archival quality. Printing is done through Toronto Image Works, a professional studio known for its precision and fidelity. High-resolution Giclée technology enhances depth, softness, and detail in every image. Editions are intentionally small and each print is hand-signed, ensuring that every collector receives a piece that is both lasting and unique. For details on available formats, pricing, and edition sizes, visit the Unique Editions page. Above all, each work is designed to carry presence—something to feel, not just see.

All prints are hand-signed by the artist and include a 1″ white matte border for easy framing. Editions are limited to preserve the uniqueness of each piece.

Explore the Art Treasures Series

Scroll below to discover selected works. Each image is paired with a brief note on its visual roots and transformation process. You may recognize the ghost of Vermeer or the palette of Caravaggio—but their stories have changed. In this space, nothing is fixed. Everything moves.

Between Real and Imagined

The Art Treasures series invites viewers to look again, beyond the frame, beneath the surface. These works are not about nostalgia. They are about presence. By abstracting the familiar, Denis Leclerc reclaims the act of looking itself. What was once a museum piece becomes a moment of quiet reinvention, digitally born and intimately human.