On Sunday, March 15, Locati, LLC will offer a newly discovered early seascape by Lonard Tsuguharu Foujita (France/Japan, 1886-1968) that was brought to the auction house for a free evaluation. The canvas, painted in 1917 and probably in its original frame, will be sold with a certificate of authenticity issued by Slyvie Buisson and will be included in the fifth edition of the artists catalogue raisonn. It depicts the port of Saint-Quay-Portrieux, a seaside community in northern France, and features the artists signature blending of traditional Japanese inkwork with Western oil paintings, resulting in flat washes of color in soft tones. The dire economic conditions of WWI meant Foujita could afford few canvases and limited pigments, resulting in works, such as Vue de la Jete et du Port de Sain-Quay-Portrieux, painted in predominantly grey tones. The painting was recently professionally cleaned of surface dirt and will be offered at a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. As part of our commitment to the region, Locati maintains regular open hours during which people are encouraged to visit with questions about items in their collections. One day a woman brought in a painting that had been purchased by her mother over 40 years ago at an antique shop. I was familiar with the artist, and felt the canvas seemed right, but knew it would need to go through a rigorous authentication process, said Michael Locati, owner of Locati, LLC. Locati enlisted the help of art dealer Jarrett McCusker to liaise with the Fondation Foujita in Paris to obtain the certificate. In order to get ACRBs approval, I laid out a compelling case providing multiple, detailed images, as well as consulting the existing catalogue raisonn. There I found another work by the artist, also executed in 1917, that depicted the port from a different angle. Further research into the works composition, style, and construction all pointed towards it being an exciting new addition to Foujitas oeuvre, said McCusker. The process took a year and a half. Lonard Tsuguharu Foujita was an integral member of the School of Paris upon his arrival to the city from Japan in 1913 at the age of 27. Born and trained in Tokyo in both traditional Japanese and Western traditions, Foujita became a popular figure in the eclectic Parisian artistic community of Montparnasse, instantly recognizable with his signature bowl-cut, round glasses, and large gold earrings. The year 1917 marked a turning point in the artists career. He married his muse and fellow artist Ferande Barrey (1893-1960), his second of five wives, and held his first solo show with Armedeo Modiglianis dealer Georges Chron. The exhibition featured 110 watercolors and was a sellout, with Pablo Picasso purchasing multiple works. Foujitas lengthy career spanned continents, seeing him return to Japan during the second World War, later moving to the United States before returning to France in 1950. He died in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1968. His works, many featuring his famous cat motif, have gained in popularity since the 2018 retrospective at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, with a world-record price achieved for the artist that year for his La fte danniversaire, which achieved $9,366,687 at Bonhams, London (Oct. 11, 2018, Lot 18). Locati, LLC is a regional boutique auction house that has been holding monthly sales since 2004, featuring a range of fine and decorative arts. They are located in Central Bucks County, Pa. For more information, call 215-619-2873.