Paintings Found In Paris Likely Early Works By Okamoto Taro
NHK has learned that three abstract paintings have been found that are thought to be unknown early works of the late Japanese artist Okamoto Taro.
Okamoto moved to Paris in 1930 when he was 18 and lived there until the age of 29, when he returned to Japan to escape Nazi Germany's invasion. It was thought that all his early works were destroyed when his home in Tokyo burned down while he was serving in the army in China.
But a Frenchman residing in Paris notified relevant parties about three abstract paintings featuring fluttering smoke-like illustrations and said one of them carried the signature "Okamoto Taro" in kanji.
Officials who research and collect Okamoto's works acquired the paintings in February and conducted a detailed analysis.
Following a handwriting appraisal and paint analysis, five experts compared the paintings' techniques and similarities with works by Okamoto.
They concluded it's highly likely the paintings were done by Okamoto while he lived in Paris. They say the works are similar to those in his first collection, "OKAMOTO," but the lines are amateurish so he may have drawn them in his early 20s.
Hirano Akiomi, director of the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, is one of the experts. He said the paintings represent Okamoto's starting point and his origins. He described them as extremely important and said their discovery will reshape Okamoto's history.
The paintings are scheduled to be shown to the public in an exhibition that will open on July 23 in Osaka, and later move to Tokyo and Nagoya.
Okamoto is known for numerous works, including the "Tower of the Sun" monument and the "Myth of Tomorrow" mural.