Philosophy imbues Vlady's art. Nietzsche, Marx, Freud, and Édgar Morin are fellow-travellers throughout his work.

Vlady's Zarathustra was, at first, a St. Jerome. As the work developed, a tree of life spread its branches in the centre of the canvas and St. Jerome's prayer became an ode to merry knowledge. In Vlady's universe, sensual painting leads to pure ideas -- matter becomes idea.