The story of an art collection often becomes clearer when a group of works is seen together rather than dispersed among individual sales. Sotheby's has brought fifteen works by Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita from the Lewis Collection to Hong Kong in September 2026.
The exhibition and auction coincide with the 140th anniversary of the artist's birth, highlighting his dialogue between Japanese and European traditions. For collectors visiting Hong Kong between trips, it offers a cultural stop with a defined curatorial focus.
An artist between traditions
Foujita's career brought his Japanese background into conversation with Parisian modernism, while his subjects ranged from intimate portraits to dreamlike scenes. He developed a visual language that is identifiable without being confined to one national school.
Sotheby's presentation traces his movement across places and artistic periods through works selected from one private collection. Visitors can compare those changes directly during the public exhibition.
Inside the Lewis Collection
The group includes self-portraiture, animal subjects and works on paper, showing the range of the artist's interests. Its provenance from the Lewis Collection is part of the exhibition's interpretive context.
An auction estimate is an indication supplied for a specific lot, not an assured sale price or future market value. Collectors should study condition reports, provenance documents, fees and sale terms before bidding.
A September Hong Kong stop
The public presentation is scheduled at Sotheby's Maison from 22 to 28 September, with the auction listed for the evening of 28 September Hong Kong time. The precise viewing hours and auction access are set by Sotheby's and should be checked before travel.
The show offers one more reason to build time ashore into an Asian itinerary instead of treating the city purely as a transit point. A museum or gallery visit can be arranged independently of any marina accommodation.
Collecting beyond the exhibition
Private collecting requires attention to conservation, insurance and secure transport, particularly if a work will later be displayed aboard. Temperature and humidity control should be reviewed with a specialist before moving delicate art onto a vessel.
This is a cultural report rather than financial advice or a recommendation to bid. The accompanying image comes from the official Sotheby's presentation of the named collection.
