Rating and value of paintings, drawings and sculptures by Léonard Foujita

If you own a work by or based on the artist Léonard Foujita and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can advise you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your work of art, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price.

Artist's rating and value

Léonard Foujita's work is commonplace and highly rated on the auction market. His works arouse keen interest among collectors and art lovers, particularly those who appreciate 20th-century painting and drawing. The most sought-after pieces are expressionist paintings. A work by Foujita can fetch millions of euros at auction, like his painting La fête d'anniversaire, which sold for €6,959,060 in 2012, whereas it was estimated at between €1,026,750 and €1,483,080.  

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

Artist's style and technique

Foujita was part of the Paris School, a group of foreign artists who emigrated and produced work in Paris.

Most of his work is expressionist, and he produced many prints, as well as drawings and oils on canvas.

The life of Léonard Foujita

Léonard Tsugouharu Foujita was a Japanese artist born in Tokyo in 1886. His father was a general and doctor in the Imperial Japanese Army, but his family was particularly open to the Western advances of the time.

He took drawing lessons at an early age, and moved to Paris for three years, having made a commitment to his family to return and marry his fiancée. He discovered Picasso's work thanks to Manuel Ortiz de Zarate, and became one of the rising figures of the Paris School, along with Soutine, Vlaminck, Modigliani and many others. In Paris, he meets Fernande Barrey, also a painter, who becomes his first wife.

His first solo exhibition at Georges Chéron is financed by François Coty.

Foujita then worked with Kiki de Montparnasse, who was partly responsible for his success. His rise to fame was meteoric, and he exhibited at all the French Salons, as well as in the United States, Japan, Belgium and Germany.

During the Roaring Twenties, he met Lucie Badoud, who became his muse and second wife. However, she fell in love with Robert Desnos, and the three of them lived together for some time. Foujita didn't like this life, and left Paris following a tax reassessment. He earned a great deal of money, but spent it lavishly, totally unaware of the extent of his success.

He then left for Latin America with one of his models, Madeleine. He found new inspiration on this trip, but Madeleine died suddenly of an overdose in Tokyo some time later. He remained in Japan for some time after this episode, supporting Japan's imperial cause.

He then moved to New York, protected by MacArthur, before returning to Paris to complete his career. His biographers describe this period of his life as one of "mystical appeasement". During this period, he produced a number of religious paintings.

Léonard Foujita died of cancer in Zurich in 1968.

Léonard Foujita's influence on his period

Today, Foujita is recognized as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His Japanese and Expressionist paintings are highly prized by collectors and successful at auction. His unique style, which blends Western influences with Japanese painting techniques, is particularly appreciated and sought-after today. Some of his works are exhibited in museums in France, but private collectors play a major role in preserving his work. His value has risen in recent years.

His signature

Not all works by Léonard Foujita are signed. It's also possible that the work is a copy or that the signature has faded over time, which is why expert appraisal is essential.

Appraising your property

If you own a work by Léonard Foujita, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your work.

If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each work.