FOUJITA Léonard

Biography of Léonard Foujita

Tsugouharu Foujita or Tsuguharu Fujita (藤田 嗣治, Fujita Tsuguharu) was born in 1886 in Tokyo. A graduate of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, he arrived in Paris in 1913 and quickly settled in Montparnasse, where he mingled with major artists like Modigliani, Picasso, Soutine, and also Derain. His encounter with the Parisian art scene marked a turning point in his career. He skillfully combined the precision of Japanese drawing with Western modernity, developing a style that was immediately recognizable. His mastery of line, inks, washes, and the use of milky white – a technique he kept secret – made him famous in the 1920s.

A Unique and Poetic Style

Foujita is known for his portraits of women, interior scenes, children, but also his cats, which he depicted with a particular grace. His style is refined, delicate, and deeply influenced by Japanese prints while remaining very personal. A meticulous artist, he used various supports and techniques: drawing, watercolor, oil, engraving, lithography. Admired both in Europe and Japan, he is also known for his return to Catholicism and the construction of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix chapel in Reims, which he decorated himself.

A Figure of the School of Paris

Foujita is one of the emblematic artists of the School of Paris, a group of cosmopolitan artists who enriched the French art scene at the beginning of the 20th century. His international career, exhibitions in major museums, and his contribution to the dialogue between East and West make him a key figure in modern art. He became a French citizen in 1955 and passed away in 1968.

Foujita's Works at Galerie 125

Galerie 125 offers lithographs by Léonard Foujita, available for sale online and in the gallery. These rare works allow you to discover the artist's poetic universe through his subtle and expressive drawing. In a carefully curated selection, his graceful cats, feminine silhouettes, and art of line are elegantly displayed, alongside other great names of the 20th century like Marc Chagall, Georges Rouault, or Marie Laurencin.