The artwork titled “Birthday,” created by the artist Tsuguharu Foujita in 1958, belongs to the art movement of Magic Realism and falls within the genre of genre painting.
The artwork depicts a group of children gathered around a circular table adorned with a white tablecloth, set for an intimate birthday celebration. A centerpiece of vibrant flowers occupies a prominent position at the center of the table. Each child appears to be involved in various activities, such as sipping tea or engaging in conversation, while a birthday cake with lit candles sits as the focal point of the table setting. The scene is framed by the backdrop of a simple room with two windows, adorned with red curtains, through which other children are peeking inside. The detailed and delicate rendering of the children’s attire and the quaint setting evoke a sense of innocence and festivity, characteristic of the Magic Realism movement. The overall composition captures a moment of celebration, subtly infused with a dreamlike quality.
