NAME: Vierge à l'Enfant
ENGLISH NAME: Virgin and Child
MEDIUM: Lithograph - Épreuve d'artiste - Artist Proof **
IMAGE SIZE: 48 x 33 cm (19 x 13 inches)
Image is ACTUAL ARTWORK
ABOUT:
Leonard Tsuguharu FOUJITA
Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita was a renowned Japanese-French painter, celebrated for his distinctive style that blended Japanese and Western artistic techniques. Born on November 27, 1886, in Tokyo, Japan, Foujita was the son of a general in Japan's imperial army. He studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, graduating in 1910.
Foujita moved to Paris in 1913, where he quickly became a prominent figure in the bohemian art scene of Montparnasse. He mingled with avant-garde artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Amedeo Modigliani, and his work gained immediate success. Known for his unique style, Foujita often depicted women, cats, and self-portraits in his paintings, characterized by a clear, flowing line and smooth layers of soft colors.
Throughout his career, Foujita exhibited widely and was recognized as a leading artist of the Ecole de Paris. He was the first Japanese artist to break free from traditional Japanese art, incorporating European contemporary art influences. Foujita lived in various countries, including England, Belgium, and the United States, before returning to Paris, where he continued his work until his death in Zurich on January 29, 1968.
Regarding his lithograph "Virgin and Child," it was created in 1965 and is one of his notable works. The piece is a signed lithograph measuring 19 inches by 13 inches. This work exemplifies Foujita's ability to merge Eastern and Western artistic elements, creating a timeless and serene depiction that resonates with his broader body of work.
** On a lithograph, "EA" means épreuve d'artiste. It indicates that the lithograph was an artist's proof. The printmaker likely produced it for their own collection or to test the printing process