Watercolour on paper

40×56 cm. 15 3/4×22 in.

Signed in Chinese and English, dated on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Original collection of Maurice Lefebvre-Foinet, Paris
Thence by descent to the previous European collector
1 Dec 2009, Christie's Paris Autumn Auction, Lot 46
12 Oct 2021, China Guardian Hong Kong Autumn Auction, Lot 39
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the above

Note: Original collector Maurice Lefebvre-Foinet was a renowned illustrator in France. This work is referenced in the archive of the Foundation Zao Wou-Ki (information provided by Foundation Zao Wou-Ki)

Essence of Nature, Boundless Bliss
Zao Wou-Ki's Heartfelt Landscapes

Zao Wou-Ki's name, "Wou-Ki," originates from Laozi's Tao Te Ching, symbolizing the eternal nature of the universe. As one of the most influential Chinese abstract artists, Zao masterfully blends Western abstract expression with Eastern Daoist philosophy. His deep observation of nature and life enriches his work. In the 1960s, he reached his first career peak, gaining international acclaim. This auction features his 1967 watercolour masterpiece, Abstract, showcasing his command of watercolour techniques, creating rhythm and depth. He fully grasps the essence of Chinese ink art, transforming it into a pursuit of colour interplay and regeneration.

Eden of Nature: A Serene Song

Viewing this piece feels like strolling through an artistically crafted underwater realm, an unreachable Eden. The composition descends from the horizon to a tranquil lake, then to turbulent depths. Up close, one can see flowing water, ever-changing clouds, and the growth traces of underwater rocks. This work is a hymn to nature, demonstrating Zao's mature control of watercolour. The upper part, symbolizing clouds, resembles the blank space in ink paintings, creating a visual rhythm that slowly spreads and condenses, evoking a sense of flow and continuity, and crafting a space of intertwined reality and illusion.

Celestial Vastness: Ethereal Grace

In form, bold indigo and dark grey lines interweave from the sides to the centre, characterized by strong, tension-filled strokes, a hallmark of Zao's 1960s works. These lines sketch a faint, winding ridge, creating a centripetal visual pull towards the lake-blue centre. The serene greens and purples stand in harmony, like a lake under a vast sky, softening the tension from broad brushstrokes, resulting in a full composition that exudes calm, controlled energy. In Abstract, the ethereal blue melts like ice in a lake, dispersing the fog over mountains. Zao's brush captures the essence of nature, structuring the formless. He transforms external forms into subjective imagination, encompassing the vast cosmos. His work bridges tradition and modernity, East and West, igniting a spark of intense beauty.

Price estimate:
HKD 1,200,000 – 1,500,000
USD 153,800 – 192,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 1,440,000