143
Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita
(French/Japanese, 1886-1968)
Portrait of Goethe (After Tischbein)
Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
Sold
$11,000
Live Auction
What Do You See? The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Part III
Location
Philadelphia
Size
18 x 15 in. (45.7 x 38.1cm)
Description
Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita
(French/Japanese, 1886-1968)
Portrait of Goethe (After Tischbein)
oil on canvas
inscribed and signed GOETHE/PAR TISCHBEIN/Par Foujita (lower left)
18 x 15 in. (45.7 x 38.1cm)
The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This lot is located in Philadelphia.
Condition
The unlined canvas in overall good condition. With a hazy, shiny finish to the canvas, likely due to the varnish. Minor abrasions at upper right corner and at bottom right, along with discoloration along the four edges of the work, due to frame rubbing (only visible when the work is unframed). We notice accumulated accretions in the bottom tier of the canvas. Some soft rubbing at center left, on the man's collar and hat (not so much losses but more so paint contractions). Examination under UV light confirms the presence of a heavy layer of green, milky varnish which suggests the work would benefit from a light cleaning. Some of the aforementioned accretions and defects in the canvas do fluoresce under UV light, but we do not notice any restoration, or inpainting per see. Additional images available upon request.
Signature
inscribed and signed GOETHE/PAR TISCHBEIN/Par Foujita (lower left)
Provenance
This lot will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Sylvie Buisson.Provenance:The Estate of Dr. Seeholzer, Zurich, 1935.Parke-Bernet, New York, sale of October 20, 1978, lot 55. Acquired directly from the above sale.Lot Essay:Foujita met Swiss lawyer Henri Seeholzer at the end of WWI. Seeholzer introduced him to key patrons, helping launch his career, and went on to become one of his most important supporters, amassing over 100 of his works. As Ambassador to the Holy See, Seeholzer arranged a meeting between Foujita and Pope Benedict XV, inspiring a series of religious paintings, many of which entered Seeholzer’s estate upon his death in 1935. The present work, dating from Foujita’s early years, reflects his practice of copying Old Masters to refine his technique