School Paris Painting By Nakamura Naondo 1958
Titled "Strangers in Paris". Depicts two figures against a dark background. Signed lower right "Naondo". 9 1/4" x 12 1/4" sight. Framed size is approximately 12 1/4 x 15 1/4.
Naondo Nakamura (中村 直人, Nakamura Naondo, 19 May 1905 – 22 April 1981) was a Japanese painter and sculptor who as part of the School of Paris group painting in France during the 1950s.
The present painting, executed in Paris in 1958, is an example of the artist's folded paper technique. After layering the surface of the painting with successive applications of watercolor and gouache, Nakamura carefully folded, then smoothed and mounted the crumpled paper on a panel, creating a textured surface on which to finish his work.
Although Nakamura was recognized as a sculptor early in his career, having studied with the Western-style sculptor Yoshida Hakurei (1871-1942), painting took precedence for him. His work has been shown extensively throughout Europe, Japan and the United States, including exhibitions at the Andre Weil Gallery in Paris in 1953 and 1956, a retrospective at the Seibu Department Store, Ikebukuro, in Tokyo in 1967, at Nihon Gallery in Tokyo in 1969, and at the Matsuzakaya Department Store in Nagoya in 1971.
Nakamura was later inspired by Leonard Foujita, and began painting. In 1942 he drew illustrations for Asahi Shinbun's serial novel "Kaigun". He worked in Paris from 1953 to 1964. When he returned to Japan, he returned to sculpture and joined the Nikakai. He won the Prime Minister's award at the Nikakai's 65th exhibition.
Nakamura died on 22 April 1981.
A slightly larger work by Naondo sold at Christies for $10,925 in 1999.