LÉONARD FOUJITA (1886-1968) - Lot 16

LÉONARD FOUJITA (1886-1968) LÉONARD FOUJITA (1886-1968) "Portrait of a young woman at rest". Black pencil on paper Signed lower right "Tsuguharu" in Japanese and Foujita. A black pencil drawing on paper. Signed lower right "Tsuguharu" in Japanese and Foujita. H 26 x L 27,5 cm - H 10 1/4 x W 10 7/8 in. N.B. Sylvie Buisson's certificate dated July 29, 2024 will be given to the buyer. Tsuguharu Foujita, born in Tokyo in November 1886, died in Zurich, Switzerland, at the age of 81. After becoming a French citizen and converting to Catholicism in 1959, he adopted the first name Léonard, in homage to Leonardo da Vinci. His arrival in Montparnasse in 1913 marked a turning point, as he quickly established ties with influential artistic figures such as Picasso, Modigliani, Soutine and Fernand Léger, and embodied the cultural diversity of the École de Paris, where he enriched the movement with his singular vision and style. Foujita and the expression of universal femininity. This portrait of a young woman is emblematic of Foujita's unique style. The contours of the angular, almost androgynous face are drawn with fine lines, while the softness of the delicately wavy hair softens this apparent rigor. Her intense eyes and finely defined mouth reveal an authentic femininity, stripped of all artifice. The young woman imposes her presence with natural grace and an enigmatic expression, her head resting on a cushion, embodying an almost hieratic elegance. Through this portrait, Foujita captures the spirit of female emancipation in the 1920s, inspired by Japanese aesthetic canons. He presents a feminine representation imbued with strength and character, defying gender stereotypes to express a new, timeless beauty. A true ambassador of Japanese culture in France, Foujita's work reflects a fusion of Japanese and Western techniques, helping to make him a pioneer in the exploration of a new femininity in the 20th century.