Lot 282 D

Léonard Foujita became well-known for his outstanding drawings. One particularly striking element in his art is the interplay between clear-cut contours and delicate shading within the subject - features which can also be observed in this drawing. Foujita's artwork was clearly marked and inspired by the styles and motifs of previous periods in art history. His late works in the 1950s and 1960s, in particular, show the influence of the Italian Renaissance. During this period of his oeuvre we can observe numerous religious motifs, such as Madonnas, Christ being taken from the cross and scenes of worship as well as depictions of the Three Graces in the style of the Old Masters. In this beautiful portrait of Odette, the artistic execution is equally reminiscent of the Old Masters, particularly the woman's hands, her bosom and the draped fabric. Depictions of supernaturally graceful female figures - often with a Mannerist effect - are among the artist's most frequent subjects. Yet the style in this portrait is highly naturalistic in character.