Foujita, les années folles at Paris Musée Maillol

This year 2018 is about to be rich in events devoted to painter Foujita, to celebrate the year of Japan in France and the painter’s 50^th anniversary of his death.

At Musée Maillol, a major exhibition is coming up, Foujita, les années folles (from March 7 to July 15, 2018) featuring 100 key works set through an exceptional visit. This beautiful and unique exhibition (because of the number of pieces by the Japanese Foujita gathered) returns on the Japanese painter’s art activity in Montparnasse from 1913 to 1931, who left his native Japan for experimenting the great modernist movements (Cubism, Dadaism, Expressionism) in Paris.

Arrived in Paris in 1913, the eccentric painter with an oriental style will go to Montparnasse. There, an artist introduces him to Picasso as if he was a freak, but Picasso will quickly notice Foujita's talent, and takes him under his wing.

Surrounded by the greatest artists of his time – Picasso, Modigliani, Brancusi, Zadkine and Soutine – Foujita will try many varied techniques for a few years before decided to improve his singularity, he has two origins (French and Japanese) and mixing techniques he learnt when studying fine arts in Tokyo and style from Paris School of Art.

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In Paris, the artist brings the Japanese style that lacked French artists touched by the First World War (fine line, calligraphy, watercolor, Indian ink) and will soak Parisian life up to create paintings full of life, illustrating women, children and animals, when not depicting his own life.

In Parisian medias, Foujita embodies modernity and the free flow of ideas thanks to Japonism, him, the dandy Japanese man (round glasses, thin mustache framed by heavy dark bangs) who feels so good in Paris. Come along and discover Foujita’s Paris at Musée Maillol!

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.