Zao WOU-KI (1920-2013) - Lot 21

Zao WOU-KI (1920-2013) Sunset, 2006 Prints and multiples. Lithography on paper. 27.5 × 9.8 cm (including frame). 10 4/5 × 3 9/10 in (including frame). 04/24. Signed lower right. Private collection, Paris. From the book. Carnets de voyage. Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2013) was a Franco-Chinese painter renowned for his abstract works that fused Eastern and Western artistic traditions. Born in Beijing, he studied at the National School of Fine Arts in Hangzhou, before moving to Paris in 1948. Influenced by Chinese calligraphy and Western modernism, Zao developed a unique style, characterized by an expressive touch and a harmony of color and form. His work has been exhibited in major museums worldwide, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi and the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. His most important exhibitions include - Zao Wou-Ki: A Retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi - a wide-ranging retrospective of his career, featuring over 100 works. - Zao Wou-Ki: The Journey at Mumbai's Jehangir Art Gallery - an exhibition tracing his artistic evolution. - Zao Wou-Ki: The Bindu at the Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi - a thematic exhibition focusing on the central motif of his work. - Zao Wou-Ki: The Elements at the Art Institute of Chicago - an exhibition exploring his representation of the natural elements. - Zao Wou-Ki: The Universe at the Musée Guimet in Paris - an exhibition examining his cosmological themes. "Sunset (2006)" is a lithograph on paper by Zao Wou-Ki, reflecting his mature style that harmoniously integrates Eastern calligraphic traditions and Western abstract expressionism. The composition is characterized by dynamic brushstrokes and a vibrant palette, capturing the ephemeral beauty of a sunset. The interplay of light and shadow in the work evokes a sense of tranquility and introspection, characteristic of Zao's exploration of natural phenomena through abstract forms. This piece illustrates Zao Wou-Ki's ability to transcend cultural boundaries, creating works that resonate with universal themes of nature and existence.