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.
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
Nu Debout etching by Zao Wou-ki 1951 (AGE 71)
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Nu Debout, Etching on Rives paper 1951 by Zao Wou-ki Printed in 2 colors and 2 plates by G. Leblanc, Paris signed and numbered image 29.7 x 23.7 cm, sheet 29.7 x 23.7 cm Edition 5/50 Provenance: Private Collection United States Literature: Catalogue Raisonné of Zao Wou-ki's graphic works (AGERUP) plate 71 About the Artist: Born in 1920 in Beijing, Zao Wou-Ki attended the National School of Arts, Hangzhou for six years under the supervision of Lin Fengmian...
Paper, Etching
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
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
Canto Pisan
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in New York, NY
A superb, richly-inked impression of this very scarce, early proof color aquatint on Arches. Artist's proof, aside from the edition of 180. Signed, dated and inscribed "H II fer pass...
Color, Aquatint
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
Voiles à la mer lithograph by Zao Wou-ki 1953 (AGE 81)
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Voiles à la mer, color Lithograph on Rives paper 1953 by Zao Wou-ki Printed in 5 colors by E. and J. Desjobert, Paris Published by La Hune, Paris signed and numbered image 36.5 x 49 cm; sheet 50.0 x 65 cm Edition 106/120 Provenance: Private Collection Germany Literature: Catalogue Raisonné of Zao Wou-ki's graphic works (AGERUP) plate 81 About the Artist: Born in 1920 in Beijing, Zao Wou-Ki attended the National School of Arts, Hangzhou for six years under the supervision of Lin Fengmian...
Paper, Lithograph
$4,194
The pond
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Paris, FR
Etching, 1972 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 4/26 Publisher : Editions Galanis (Paris) Printer : Bellini (Paris) Catalog : Moestrup 230 38.00 cm. x 28.00 cm. 14.96 ...
Etching
Zao Wou-Ki - Sonnets For Shakespeare - Original Print
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Zao Wou- Ki Title: XXIV Shakespeare's sonnets Technique: Etching and aquatint by Zao WOU -KI Dimensions: 35 x 28 cm Reference: Agerup No. 369 Information : Original print create...
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
Composition IV, from: Canto Pisan - Chinese French Canto Literature Abstract
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
This original etching and aquatint in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist ""Zao Wou-Ki"" in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin. It is hand numbered in pencil fro...
Etching, Aquatint
Canto Pisan, 1972
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013 Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese) Title: Canto Pisan, 1972 Technique: Complete Suite of Eight Original Hand Signed and Numbered Etchings and Aquatints ...
Etching, Aquatint
Deer Les cerfs - Chinese Abstract Animals Deers
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
This lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist "Zao Wou-Ki" in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower left margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of ...
Lithograph
Etching N. 149
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013 Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese) Title: Etching No. 149, 1963 Technique: Original Hand Signed, Numbered and Dated Etching and Aquatint in Colours on W...
Etching
Etching No. 163 - Chinese Art Abstract French
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013 Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese) Title: Etching No. 163, 1965 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Etching and Aquatint in Colours on Arches W...
Etching, Aquatint
Untitled No. 127
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013 Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese) Title: Untitled No. 127, 1960 Technique: Original Hand Signed, Numbered and Dated Lithograph in Colours on Wove Paper...
Lithograph
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
Hortensias (Hydrangeas) - Chinese Abstract Flowers Still Life
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
This lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil 23/95 by the artist "Zao Wou-Ki" in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin. It is also dated ‘53’ [1953] next to the signat...
Lithograph
Composition I, from Rambles Randonnées - Chinese French Abstract
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013 Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese) Title: Composition I, from Rambles Randonnées, 1974 Technique: Original Hand Signed, Numbered and Dated Etching and...
Etching, Aquatint
Price Upon Request
Untitled
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Paris, FR
Watercolor and ink on paper, 1986 24.00 cm. x 32.00 cm. 9.45 in. x 12.6 in. (paper) 53.50 cm. x 60.50 cm. 21.06 in. x 23.82 in. (frame) In this watercolor enhanced with Indian ink,...
Watercolor
Price Upon Request
À la Gloire de l'Image et Art Poétique (To the Glory of the Image & Poetic Art)
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in London, GB
Zao Wou Ki À la Gloire de l'Image et Art Poétique (Ågerup 271-285), 1976 with the artist’s printed signature and date The portfolio, comprising 15 lithographs printed in colours on A...
Lithograph