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 (Chinese-French, 1921–2013), "Untitled #12 (Agerup 120)" 1959
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Atlanta, GA
Zao Wou-Ki (Chinese-French, 1921–2013), *Untitled (Agerup 120)*, 1959, color etching and aquatint on Rives BFK paper, signed and dated in graphite at lower right, numbered 9/75 at lo...
Silver Leaf
$16,526
Zao Wou-Ki, Lithograph, 1968
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Lithograph-Wou Wou Zhào W'J', 1968 Additional Details: Materials and Techniques: Lithography Style: Chinese Theme: Art Type: Print Features: Signed Subject: Abstract Original/Licensed Reprint: Limited Edition Print Print Surface: Paper Printed in 6 colours. Image size: 56 x 43.5 cm. Signed, dated and numbered Artist’s signature and date bottom right Numbered bottom left 82/90. Edition of 90 on Rives paper. Size: Medium (up to 36in.) Size (w x h): 25.6 x 20 in / 65 x 50 cm Printed by E. and J. Desjobert, Paris France Published by Galerie de France, Paris France Condition: A. Zao Wou-Ki (1920 - 2013) was a Chinese painter and printmaker naturalized French in 1964. He was a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris and is one of the most successful Chinese painters. Zao Wou-Ki graduated from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, the most famous art school in China, where he studied under Lin Fengmian...
Paper
Engraving with Aquatint by Zao Wou-Ki, Signed, Edition 28/75, 1967
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Engraving with Aquatinte-Ao Wou Ki-Zhào W-J', 1967 Additional Details: Materials and Techniques: Etching with aquatint Style: Chinese Printed in 5 colours, 3 copper plates Image size: 37.5 by 53.5 cm. Edition of 75 on Arches Signed, dated and numbered: Artist’s signature and date bottom right Numbered bottom left: 28/75 Size (w x h): 30 x 22 in / 76 x 56 cm Printer: Atelier Lacourière et Frélaut, Paris France Lin...
Paper
Zao Wou-Ki, Abstract Lithograph, Zhào Wújí - Chinese Art - 1976
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Lithograph-Wou Ki-Zhào W-J', 1976 Additional Details: Materials and Techniques: Lithography Printed in 6 colours. Size: Image size: 40.0 x 67.0 cm Paper Size 50 x 76 cm Edition of 99 and 15 Hors Commerce proofs and 15 Artist’s proofs on Arches paper Artist’s signature and date bottom right Artist’s proof E. A. bottom left Printed : Bellini, Paris, France Published : Ediciones Poligrafa, Barcelona Spain Zao Wou-Ki (1920 - 2013) was a Chinese painter and printmaker naturalized French in 1964. He was a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris and is one of the most successful Chinese painters. Zao Wou-Ki graduated from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, the most famous art school in China, where he studied under Lin Fengmian...
Paper
Zao Wou-Ki, Abstract Engraving with Aquatint, 1974
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Zao Wou Ki Engraving with Aquatint Size (w x h): Paper size: 76 x 56 cm or 30 x 22 in Image size: 43.5 by 55.4 cm 1968 Additional Details: Materials and Techniques: Etching and A...
Paper
Zao Wou Ki Printed Plate, "Orchidée"
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Paris, FR
Zao Wou Ki (1921 - 2013) "Orchidée" 1986 Print after a watercolor on faience. Stamped on the reverse as a tribute to the twentieth birthday of the BSN co...
Faience
$800Sale Price|20% Off
Zao Wou-Ki Affiche De Galerie, Original Vintage Exhibition Poster, 1978
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Zao Wou-Ki Affiche De Galerie, original vintage exhibition poster "Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2013) was a Chinese-French painter. He was a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Za...
Paper
Early 20th Century Vintage Chinese Poster
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This vintage poster from the 1930s melds the meticulous detail of traditional Chinese painting with the Craft of color lithography. These advertisement posters, depicting fashionab...
Paper
$695
H 4.75 in W 8.25 in D 6.75 in
Early 20th Century Royal Bonn Delft Faience Sardine Dish with Dolphin Handle
By Royal Bonn
Located in Dallas, TX
. Crafted in Germany circa 1900 by Franz Anton Mehlem for Royal Bonn, this elegant antique faience serving dish is executed in the traditional Delft manner with richly detailed cobal...
Faience, Porcelain
$1,050
H 2 in W 29.88 in D 0.07 in
Contemporary Signed French Abstract Color Lithograph, Colorful French Modern Art
Located in Miami, FL
Modern French Color Lithograph signed Fitzori, French school color lithograph Titled "Bonjour Madame". This original French color lithograph bursting with vibrant, eye-catching col...
Paper
Jean Dubuffet , Cerceaux ‘Sorcellent Limited Edition, 1st 1967
By Jean Dubuffet
Located in CA, CA
Jean Dubuffet. Cerceaux ‘Sorcellent by Max Loreau. Edition Jeanne Bucher, Editions Beyeler, Paris, 1967. Limited edition of 800 of which this is no. 496. Contains 20 original colo...
Paper
$239Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 18 in D 0.1 in
Full Circle Lithograph by David Lance Goines, Modern, 1976, Unframed
By David Lance Goines
Located in San Carlos, CA
Excellent vintage lithograph designed and printed by David Lance Goines in 1976 to commemorate the 1 year existence of Full Circle Vintage Graphics...
Other
Gravure Lithograph Signed Ferrer
By FERRER
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gravure Lithograph signed Ferrer April 1992, entitled "shared consciousness" Litho: 75cmx55cm Encadrement: l: 93cm, h: 75cm, p: 3cm Contact us before ordering to confirm product ava...
Paper
Mark Rothko Abstract Lithograph 35" x 28" Mid Century Modern Art
By (after) Mark Rothko
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large Abstract Color Lithograph, by Mark Rothko, American, circa 1970s. It has recently been professionally framed in a clean lined black lacquered wood gallery frame under UV resist...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
$5,152Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.25 in W 9.75 in D 1 in
Andy Warhol, Joe Dellasandro, ‘Flesh, 1968’ Black & White Photograph 1968, 1978.
By Andy Warhol
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Andy Warhol, Joe Dellasandro, ‘Trash’, 1968 (1978), Black & White Photograph. Large silver gelatin print. Printed in 1978. Provenance: Archive of After Dark Magazine, New York. T...
Paper
$1,250
H 29 in W 22.5 in D 0.5 in
Helen Frankenthaler Color Lithograph Mid Century Abstract Art 29" x 22"
By Helen Frankenthaler
Located in Atlanta, GA
Colorful Abstract Lithograph, by Helen Frankenthaler, American, circa 1960s. It has been recently professionally framed in a clean lined white lacquer wood frame under UV resistant g...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Four Vintage Lithographs after Henri Matisse.
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Stamford, CT
Four lithographs by Henri Matisse framed using acid free materials in handmade frames. Priced per frame.
Paper
Mid Century 1973 Signed Colored Engraving
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Abstract in browns and red on ecru. Pencil signed indistinctly (possibly Y. Bishop) and dated 73 lower right, numbered 64/70 lower left. Embossed French gallery mark lower right. Fra...
Wood, Paper
$430 / set
H 1 in Dm 9 in
Pair Early Minton Porcelain Plates Hand-Painted & Bat-Printed, England Ca. 1805
By Minton
Located in Katonah, NY
Made in England around 1805, this exquisite pair of early Minton porcelain plates features beautifully hand-painted Oriental flowers and bamboo branches in vibrant shades of red, yellow, green, and gray. Part of the intricate design was first applied using a delicate red and yellow bat print...
Porcelain
Sold
H 14.97 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
Zao Wou-Ki, China Ink, Abstract Expressionism Engraving with Aquatint, 1980
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Zao Wou-Ki (1920 - 2013) was a Chinese painter and printmaker naturalized French in 1964. He was a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris and is one of the most successful Chinese painters. Zao Wou-Ki graduated from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, the most famous art school in China, where he studied under Lin Fengmian...
Paper
Zao Wou-ki: « feu », Gravure Aquatinte X/75 Ex. Daté 1967
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
"Zao Wou-ki : « Feu » (Fire), Gravure Aquatinte X/75 Ex. Daté 1967" Gravure aquatinte de 1967 numérotée 44/75 exemplaires en bas à gauche , signée et datée 67 en bas à droite. E...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Zao Wou Ki, Part of the Four Seasons series
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Paris, FR
Lithograph. Private copy, signed "Zao Wou Ki" in the bottom right corner, and "H. C. I/XXV" in the bottom left corner.