Zao Wou-Ki was born in Beijing, China, on February 13, 1921, to a wealthy family descended from the Song Dynasty.
French-educated Chinese artist Lin Fengmian was Wou-Ki’s teacher at the China Academy of Art from 1935–41 and encouraged him to study abroad in Paris. Wou-Ki made the move in 1948 with a substantial amount of financial backing and later adopted France as his new home, remaining in the country, besides a few short trips abroad, until his death.
In Paris, Wou-Ki quickly joined a large postwar French art circle, composed of key writers, poets, painters and cultural figures, including Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Riopelle and Vieira da Silva, among others. This networking helped position himself at the top of the Lyrical Abstraction movement. By his mid-30s, Wou-Ki had decided to devote his artistic career to abstract painting that blended Eastern and Western stylistic traditions.
In 2011, Wou-Ki was referred to in art publications as the top-selling living Chinese artist. He died in Nyon, Switzerland, on April 9, 2013, at the age of 93.
Find authentic Zao Wou-Ki prints and other art on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $895 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Artists |
Orchid - Screenprint of Porcelain Plate (BSN Edition, 1986)
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Paris, IDF
ZAO Wou-Ki Orchid Screenprint on Limoges porcelain Signed bottom centre BSN Edition, 1986 25 cm diameter Excellent condition
Porcelain, Screen
$1,537
H 12.6 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
Zao Wou-ki - Original Lithograph - Abstract Composition
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Zao Wou-ki - Lithograph 1971 Dimensions: 32 x 24 cm Edition: G. di San Lazzaro. From the art review XXe siècle Unsigned and unnumbered as issued
Lithograph
$15,000
H 17.5 in W 21.5 in
Blue Rythms (Agerup 188) after the 1966 painting, Peinture.
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Blue Ruthms (Agerup 188) after the 1966 painting, Peinture. Etching with aquatint, 1968 Signed, dated and numbered in pencil (see photos) Edition: 95 (74/95) Plate: 17 1/2 x 21 1/2" ...
Aquatint
Untitled
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in PARIS, FR
A magnificent work in Indian ink and "levi" ink, counter glued on strong paper and accompanied by a certificate from the Zao Wou-Ki Foundation. Zao Wou-Ki was born in Beijing on 1 F...
India Ink, Rice Paper
$4,966
H 15.36 in W 11.23 in D 0.04 in
Zao Wou-ki - Original Lithograph - Abstract Composition
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Zao Wou-ki - Original Lithograph 1962 From La tentation de l’Occident Dimensions: 39 x 28.5 cm Publisher: Les Bibliophiles Comtois Edition of 170 Reference: Jørgen Ågerup 137 - 146...
Lithograph
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.4 in W 9.65 in
Zao Wou-Ki, Untitled, from XXe Siecle, 1971
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Zao Wou-Ki (1920–2013), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album XXe Siecle, Nouvelle serie, XXXIIIe Annee, No. 37, Decembre 1971, originates from th...
Lithograph
$16,554
H 0.4 in Dm 14.57 in
Zao Wou-Ki's limited edition plate "Pierre de Ciel" crafted by Bernardaud
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in PARIS, FR
In the realm of artistic alchemy, Zao Wou-Ki's limited edition plate, "Pierre de Ciel," crafted by Bernardaud, unfolds as a poetic composition in Limoges porcelain—a masterpiece that...
Porcelain
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 23.5 in
"Hommage a Nobutaka Shikanai, " Zao Wou-Ki, Abstract Lithograph Mid-century Print
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in New York, NY
Zao Wou-Ki (1920 - 2013) Hommage a Nobutaka Shikanai - 1991, (Agerup 354) Color lithograph on BFK Rives watermarked paper, full margins 24 x 18 1/4 inches Signed and titled in the sheet Published by Fuji Television Gallery, Tokyo Zao (Zhao) Wou Ki combines Oriental landscape abstraction with French influence. He was born in Beijing on February 13, 1921, and from the age of ten, Zao drew and painted with great freedom. He learned from his grandfather that calligraphy is an art when it transmits an emotion to the person looking at it. At age fourteen he enrolled at the School of Fine Arts in Hangzhou, where he remained for six years. He studied and then taught at the Hongchow National Academy of Fine Arts. In 1942, he organized an exhibition of works by his teacher, Wu Dayu, along with some of his own. In 1948, he moved to Paris where he has lived and worked ever since, although he has exhibited in New York City. He attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and lived at Rue du Moulin Vert nearby Alberto Giacometti's studio. Making the acquaintance of Hans Hartung, Nicolas de Staël, Pierre Soulages, Viera da Silva...
Paper, Lithograph
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Medium | Creation Year | |||||||||||
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| $895 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $275-$1,900 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |