Our projects

Kimiyo met Foujita in 1935, at the age of 25. They lived together for over 30 years, until the artist’s death in 1968. Both delicate and sensitive, Kimiyo was a source of inspiration for Foujita.

With her, he had rediscovered calm and inner peace after the Second World War, their French naturalization and baptism in Reims.

Despite her reserved appearance, Kimiyo had a strong personality. At the end of her life, she made resolute choices to promote and preserve the artist’s work:

• donations of works to major French museums,
• donation of their home-studio to the Essonne department to become a museum open to the public
• and bequeathing “the copyrights and all derived rights inherited from her late husband” to Apprentis d’Auteuil, a foundation recognized as being in the public interest, which has been working with the most vulnerable young people and families for almost 160 years.

Kimiyo’s intention reflects Foujita’s tenderness and benevolence towards children, whom he often depicted in his works without ever experiencing the joy of fatherhood.

To keep this legacy alive and pay tribute to the Foujita couple, the Fondation Foujita was created in 2011, under the aegis of Apprentis d’Auteuil. Since then, income from royalties has enabled us to develop and finance numerous artistic projects for young people and families.

A huge thank you to Kimiyo Foujita on behalf of the thousands of young people and families who take part in these projects!