The secular paintings of Themistocles Karfakis are deeply informed by mythology, history, and the struggles of Greece, all filtered through the prism of his personal experiences. He often depicted scenes from the Revolution and the Resistance with lyricism and romantic undertones, while also drawing on compositional models reminiscent of the Renaissance.

Equally noteworthy is his homage to his native Lefkada, captured through bucolic landscapes and intimate portrayals of everyday life. Rather than striving for photographic stillness, Karfakis infused his works with dynamism, sensitivity, and layers of conceptual meaning.

Visibly inspired by Impressionist technique, he employed vivid colors to convey emotion, situating his figures within dreamlike settings. Through this approach, he exalted the female form while simultaneously expressing ideals such as freedom and love. His paintings radiated light, color, romanticism, and depth, creating the atmosphere of another era while reflecting his own personal values.

Karfakis aimed to move audiences of every kind, holding firm to the belief that “art is for people, not for art.” He painted with faith in humanity and for humanity itself.