After their exhibition (four panels out of eight) at the Musée Maillol as part of the exhibition FOUJITA PEINDRE DANS LES ANNÉES FOLLES between February and July 2018, the paintings on canvas that Foujita had conceived and created in 1929 for the Cercle de l’Union interalliée in Paris were entrusted to the restoration workshop Arcanes by the Cercle interallié de Paris. Located in Paris 17th arrondissement – www.arcanes.eu – the restoration workshop directed by Cinzia Pasquali received all the panels in order to proceed in stages with the consolidation of this masterful work, which has been severely affected by time.
The management of the Cercle de l’Union interalliée entrusted its supervision to Sylvie Buisson, who agreed to oversee the stages of this restoration, scheduled to last more than six months.
The project, placed under the high authority of Cinzia Pasquali, begins with a thorough examination of the surfaces and support, and proposes a restoration plan and process based on the various damages caused by time.
The work begins with the removal of varnish from the surfaces in order to restore them to their original state; then the canvases are reapplied (lined) onto new supports, the different panels are stretched on lighter and more efficient frames, and finally the numerous surface repairs are carried out, reintegrating worn, damaged, or even erased details, while respecting the natural aging of the painting and its “patinated” appearance desired by Foujita himself. It is known that the artist’s reference is the painting technique on gold leaf of ancient Japanese screens that he was able to observe in various museums in Japan or even in some private residences.
Delivery, unpacking, and careful reinstallation of Foujita’s works after their restoration.
The re-hanging of the panels by the LPART teams took place on May 3, 2019, at the Cercle de l’Union interalliée, under excellent conditions, observed by the Arcanes workshop, Sylvie Buisson, expert, Mr. Dominique Ribeyre, former auctioneer, member of the Cercle and knowledgeable connoisseur, the director of the Cercle, Mr. Marc Wagnon, and the conservation manager, Mr. Raphaël Gardon.
© photo archives Sylvie Buisson, Paris 2018
© Fondation Foujita /ADAGP, Paris, 2025 for all uses of Foujita’s works, name, and image.