He went viral for risking his life to save a painting by Alekos Fassianos, specifically “Cyclist in the Countryside,” from the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

The man in question is François Roux. “It was the most terrifying sight I’ve ever witnessed. I just wanted to leave and save my life. I was carrying the paintings. The wind was sweeping them away. I could have fallen off the bike, and someone asked me, ‘Can we help you somehow?’ I replied that I’d appreciate it if they could take the paintings because all I could think about at that moment was how to get out of there alive,” he recounted.

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles was engulfed in flames. An evacuation order had been issued, and most residents had already fled their homes. François Roux returned to make sure his neighbors had evacuated. As the situation worsened, he left with only a small backpack and two paintings. Among them was the work by Greek artist Alekos Fassianos, “Cyclist in the Countryside,” with footage from NBC’s live coverage making rounds on the internet.

The family’s particular appreciation for Alekos Fassianos’ works was what drove him to risk his life to save at least one painting by the Greek artist, Roux explained with tears in his eyes in an exclusive interview with ERTNews.

“My French grandfather in Paris knew Alekos Fassianos, and my mother, who loved his work, bought this particular piece from a gallery in Paris during the 1990s. She admired the way Fassianos captured that carefree way of life. It was something my family cherished and meant a great deal to my mother. So, I just decided to take them out,” he added, his eyes welling up.

A Stirring Moment Amid Flames

The dramatic footage of the man trying to save a painting from his burning home in Los Angeles deeply moved the artist’s daughter, who reached out to him.

“The daughter of Alekos Fassianos, who is also the founder of the Alekos Fassianos Museum in Athens, contacted me and asked if I needed anything. In fact, she offered to send me a copy after I mentioned that we lost our entire collection,” he noted.

François Roux and his family have taken refuge in West Los Angeles, having lost their home to the wildfires.

“It was an incredibly emotional moment. It was both heartbreaking and hopeful,” emphasized Victoria Fassianou.