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 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
$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
$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
Pair Dutch Delft Hand Painted Imari Dishes 18th Century Circa 1780
Located in Katonah, NY
These Dutch pancake plates are adorned with a beautiful hand-painted scene in bold Imari colors of cobalt blue and iron red, enhanced by forest green and bright yellow, which replace...
Delft
Korean Ceramic Ki-Irabo Tea Bowl Chawan Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic chawan tea bowl made in Korea for Japanese market circa 17th century. The chawan is identified as Ki- Irabo type (Yellow Irabo). Irabo bowls w...
Ceramic
$4,000
H 9 in W 12 in D 10.5 in
19th Century French Barbotine Covered Bowl with Bird and Bird Nest Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century petite French faience bowl adorned with a bird and bird nest barbotine décor. This French pottery features a green colored body, decorated with exquisite colorful flow...
Ceramic, Majolica
$2,850
H 9.25 in W 6 in D 8.75 in
Antique Polychrome Dutch Delft Figural Duck Shaped Tureen or Covered Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Delft figural tureen or box. In the form of a polychrome female duck with rich red, yellow, and purple plumage. The top half of the d...
Delft
19th Century French Faience Charger or Plate
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French faience charger or plate with Gien mark.
19th Century English Majolica Begonia Leaf Plate
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century English Majolica glazed ceramic begonia leaf plate with a single green leaf on dark brown ground with yellow accents. Mottled green,...
Majolica
Set of Five Purple Delft Dishes Hand Painted 18th Century Circa 1770
By Hugo Brouwer
Located in Katonah, NY
A set of five antique Dutch Delft dishes beautifully hand painted with manganese-based purple. The dishes show a peony plant in full bloom. The maker was Hugo Brouwer. Brouwer created the design, and each dish would have been hand-painted in his factory, The Dreye Porceleyne Flesschen, using a stencil of his design. Each dish is signed with Brouwer's H-B mark. Dimensions: diameter 9" Condition: Excellent Price: $500 for the 5 plates Background of Hugo Brouwer: Maker: Hugo Brouwer (active 1760–1788) at The Dreye Porceleyne Flesschen (The Thee Porcelain Bottles) factory. Ref: C.H. De Jonge...
Delft
$960
H 2.25 in Dm 13.5 in
Blue and White Delft Charger Made Netherlands circa 1770 Chinoiserie Decoration
Located in Katonah, NY
This blue and white Dutch Delft charger shows a chinoiserie scene in a lovely naive style. The chinoiserie scene in the center of the charger includes three unique viewpoints. On o...
Delft
19th Century French Faience Shaving Bowl
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French faience shaving bowl, hand-painted with blue flowers. Hairline crack.
Faience
$1,087Sale Price|39% Off
H 3.15 in W 13.78 in D 10.63 in
Glazed Earthenware Two-Handled Bowl of the 'Faiencerie de Gien'
By Gien
Located in Berlin, DE
A lead-glazed yellow earthenware two-handled bowl of the Faiencerie de Gien. Gien was founded in 1821 by Thomas Hall, and Englishman who wanted to i...
Earthenware
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