Tsugouharu Foujita (Tokyo, 1886)
Tsugouharu Foujita, born Leonard Foujita in Tokyo, Japan, in 1886, was an internationally renowned painter and illustrator known for his unique fusion of Japanese and Western artistic influences. He studied painting at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and soon rose to prominence in the Japanese art scene.
However, Foujita sought to expand his artistic horizons and, in 1913, moved to Paris, where he became part of the city's artistic avant-garde. There, he engaged with artists such as Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse, gaining recognition for his uniquely styled paintings that combined elements of Japanese art with Western techniques, particularly the use of gouache paint on canvas.
Foujita achieved great success in the 1920s, becoming a prominent figure in the Parisian art scene. His work often depicted delicate female figures, cats (which became a hallmark of his art), as well as religious themes and scenes of everyday life.
During World War II, Foujita returned to Japan, where he faced criticism for his connections to the Nazi regime. After the war, he converted to Catholicism and went on to paint a series of notable religious works.
Foujita eventually returned to Paris and, in 1959, became a French citizen, officially adopting the name "Tsuguharu Foujita." He continued to paint and exhibit internationally until his death in 1968, leaving behind a lasting legacy in 20th-century art, with his works now in prestigious collections around the world.