Leonard Foujita Has Come - An Exhibit of the Japanese Contingent of French Art Movement Just Opened in Semboku City

“Leonard Foujita Has Come,” a special exhibition to commemorate the relocation and new construction of Akita Prefectural Museum, has just opened in Semboku City on Monday, February 6, 2012.

The exhibition displays works by the internationally renowned painter, “Leonard” Tsuguharu Foujita (藤田嗣治), whose works was known for the unique style, in which he created oil paintings using Japanese traditional painting technique.

The trademark “milky skin color” was experimented with various pigments and earned him a recognition as the most famous Japanese contingent of Ecole de Paris, a French art movement in the early 20th century. (Read more about Foujita)



"Self Portrait at Atelier" (1926)

So, why Foujita’s works are important in Akita?

Recently, Masakichi Hirano Museum of Fine Art, in Akita City has held a special exhibition on Foujita’s works. Hirano has purchased a number of Foujita’s works to support him after the death of his wife. Later, when Hirano built a museum in his hometown, Akita, Foujita painted a large mural titled The Events of Akita.

In his memories in Akita Prefecture, Foujita, in his essays written in 1942, depicted Kakunodate town as “my delightful home.”- that is why such special exhibition has been held in Kakunodate town.

This exhibition at Hirafuku Kinen Bijutsukan, in Kakunodate, Semboku City, will display collections loaned from Akita Prefectural Museum and Masakichi Hirano Museum of Fine Arts. 60 artworks by Foujita such as Japanese art, oil paintings, woodblock prints, and sketches have been selected with relevance to the scenery of Kakunodate Town.

Also noteworthy is that the exhibition displays some rare materials relating to the design concept and scheme of the new Akita Prefectural Museum building by an internationally renowned architect, Tadao Ando.

“Leonard Foujita Has Come” will continue through Sunday, February 26th, 2012., and remain open every day from 9 a.m to 4.30p.m (enter before 4:00 p.m.) The place is Hirafuku Kinen Bijutsukan in Kakunodate town, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture.

Admission is 300 yen for general adults (older than high school) and 200Yen for children (elementary and junior high school) and FREE for children under elementary school and all Semboku City residents.