After their exhibition (four out of eight panels) from February to July 2018 at the Musée Maillol – as part of the FOUJITA PAINTING IN THE ROARING TWENTIES exhibition – the canvas paintings that Foujita conceived and created in 1929 for the Cercle de l’Union interalliée in Paris, were entrusted to the Arcanes restoration workshop, located in Paris 17th arrondissement – www.arcanes.eu – to consolidate this masterful work, which had been severely affected by time.
The management of the Cercle de l’Union interalliée entrusted Sylvie Buisson with the task of monitoring and advising on the stages of this restoration, which is expected to last more than six months.
The project, under the high authority of Cinzia Pasquali, first involves a thorough examination of the surfaces and support, followed by a proposed restoration plan and process.
This involves starting with the removal of varnish from the surfaces to restore them to their original state; then re-applying (doubling) the canvases onto new supports, stretching the various panels onto lighter and more efficient frames, and finally carrying out numerous surface repairs, reintegrating details worn, damaged, or even erased by time, all while respecting the natural aging of the paint and its “patinated” appearance intended by Foujita himself. >> It is known that the artist’s reference was the technique of painting on gold leaf for ancient Japanese screens, which he observed in various museums in Japan and even in some private residences.
Delivery, unpacking, and delicate installation 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.
© Sylvie Buisson Archives, Paris 2018