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 Aquatint in Colours on Japan Nacré Paper
Paper size: 55 x 37 cm. / 21.7 x 14.6 in.
Image size: 24.5 x 18 cm. / 9.6 x 7.1 in.
Additional Information: 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 also dated “74” [1974] next to the signature.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 14, at the lower left margin.
Our impression is from a deluxe suite of 14 on Japan paper aside from the standard edition of 125 on Rives paper.
It was printed by Atelier Bellini, Paris and published by Yves Rivière, Paris in 1974. There were also three artist’s proofs and 4 hors commerce [out of trade] impressions on Japan paper.
Note:
This composition is the first of five created for the book Randonnées [Rambles] written by Roger Caillois.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen: Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 257
Condition: Very good condition. The sheet evenly toned.
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 in Colours on Arches Wove Paper
Paper size: 52 x 35 cm. / 20.5 x 13.8 in (each).
Image size: 40.7 x 25.6 cm. / 16 x 10 in (each).
Additional Information: These original etchings and aquatints in colours are hand-signed in pencil by the artist “Zao Wou-Ki” in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin. They are each hand-numbered in pencil from the edition of 50, at the lower left margin. They were printed by Atelier Bellini, Paris and published by Pierre Belfond, Paris in 1972 in a total limited edition of 260 signed and numbered impressions. There were also 30 in Roman numerals on Japan nacre and an edition of 180 on Arches wove paper. The eight etchings and aquatints are accompanied by the text and folio case.
Note: The Cantos are a collection of epic poems spanning 40 years of writing by one of America’s most controversial poets, Ezra Pound. The most studied and well-known section is the Pisan Cantos, which were written by the poet during his wartime incarceration following the American liberation of Italy. The Pisan Cantos are also significant for their inclusion of Chinese characters and other non-English languages in the core of the texts. Forcing the reader to address the ideas of expression and cultural understanding. With only three books permitted during his detention Pound selected a text by Confucius in the original language, a translation to English of the same text and a Chinese dictionary. The Pisan Cantos are notable for their reliance on memory, particularly the literary and artistic circles once enjoyed by the poet in the early twentieth century. Zao Wou-Ki masterfully blended traditional Chinese expressionism with Western European abstraction to produce his important ‘Canto Pisan’. Eight magnificent etchings and aquatints with expressive and tonal colouring. With this series Wou-Ki continued his ongoing union of eastern and western ideas, finding a common visual language.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen: Heede & Moestrup.
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013 Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese)
Title: Etching No. 118, 1959
Technique: Original Hand Signed, Numbered and Dated Etching and Aquatint in Colours on Wove Paper
Paper size: 50 x 65.5 cm. / 19.7 x 25.8 in.
Image size: 39.5 x 45.5 cm. / 15.6 x 17.9 in.
Additional Information: This original etching and aquatint in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin and dated in pencil next to the signature ’59’ [1959]. It is also hand numbered from the edition of 95, at the lower left margin. This work was printed by Robert Dutrou, Paris in 1959 and published by La Hune, Paris in the same year.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen, Denmark: Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 118
Condition: Very good condition. The sheet is lightly and evenly toned throughout. Soft handling creases in the margins.
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
Paper size: 65 x 50 cm. / 25.6 x 19.7 in.
Image size: 57.5 x 41.5 cm. / 22.6 x 16.7 in.
Additional Information: This original lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin and dated in pencil next to the signature ’60’ [1960]. It is also hand numbered from the edition of 140, at the lower left margin. This work was printed by E. et J. Desjobert, Paris in 1960 and published by L’Oeuvre Gravée, Zurich in the same year.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen, Denmark: Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 127
Condition: Very good condition. A short tear in the lower margin. Very pale time-staining across the sheet. Soft handling creases in the margins, mostly at the sheet edges.
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 Wove Paper
Paper size: 50 x 70 cm. / 19.7 x 27.5 in.
Image size: 32 x 59.5 cm. / 12.6 x 23.4 in.
Additional Information: This original etching and aquatint in colours are hand signed in pencil by the artist in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin and dated in pencil next to the signature ’63’ [1963]. It is also hand numbered from the edition of 90, at the lower left margin. There were also 20 artists’ proofs aside from the standard edition. This work was printed and published by Atelier Lacourière et Frélaut, Paris in 1963.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen, Denmark: Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 149
Condition: Good condition. The sheet has been reduced on all sides. Very pale time-staining across the sheet. Soft handling creases in the margins.
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013 Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese)
Title: Untitled No. 395, 1998
Technique: Original Hand Signed, Numbered, and Dated Lithograph in Colours on Wove Paper
Paper size: 56 x 76 cm. / 22 x 30 in.
Additional Information: This original lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin and dated in pencil next to the signature 98 [1998]. It is also hand numbered from the edition of 99, at the lower left margin. This work was printed by Art Estampe, Paris in 1998 and co-published by Galerie Enrico Navarra and Éditions de la Différence, Paris in the same year.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (2001). Zao Wou-Ki: The Graphic Work 1995-2000. Copenhagen: Edition Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 395
Condition: Excellent condition.
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013
Beijing 1921 – 2013 Switzerland (Chinese)
Title: Fishing | La pêche, 1951
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Drypoint on Wove Paper
Paper size: 25 x 32.5 cm. / 9.8 x 12.8 in.
Image size: 15 x 24.8 cm. / 5.9 x 9.8 in.
Additional Information: This original drypoint is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Zao Wou-Ki” at the lower right margin.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 30, at the lower left margin.
The drypoint was printed by G. Leblanc, Paris in 1951 in a limited edition of 30 signed and numbered impressions. There were also a small number of artist’s proofs aside from the standard edition.
There is the original publisher’s label from ‘Editions d’art L’oeuvre Gravee’ stating the medium, title and date, attached to the sheet, verso.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen: Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 57
Condition: Very good condition. Remnants of adhesive along the upper sheet edge, verso.
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013
Beijing 1921 -2013 Switzerland (Chinese)
Title: Untitled No. 242, 1973
Technique: Original Hand Signed, Numbered and Dated Lithograph in Colours on Wove Paper
Paper size: 53.8 x 76 cm. / 21.2 x 29.9 in.
Image size: 39.5 x 66.5 cm. / 15.6 x 26.2 in.
Additional Information: This original lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin and dated in pencil next to the signature ’73’ [1973].
It is also hand numbered from the edition of 99, at the lower left margin. There were also ten artist’s proofs and ten hors commerce [out of trade] impressions aside from the standard edition.
This work was printed by Bellini, Paris in 1973 and published by Mythes et Légendes, Paris in the same year.
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen, Denmark: Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 242
Condition: Very good condition. Very pale time-staining across the sheet. Soft handling creases in the margins.
ZAO WOU-KI 1921- 2013
Beijing 1921 – 2013 Switzerland (Chinese)
Title: Seaside Landscape | Paysage à la mer, 1949
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Etching on Wove Paper
Paper size: 27 x 37 cm. / 10.6 x 14.6 in.
Image size: 14.5 x 24.8 cm. / 5.7 x 9.8 in.
Additional Information: This original drypoint is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Zao Wou-Ki” at the lower right margin.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 30, at the lower left margin.
The drypoint was printed by G. Leblanc, Paris in 1951 in a limited edition of 30 signed and numbered impressions. There were also a small number of artist’s proofs aside from the standard edition.
The subject was also experimentally printed on in black and pulled in only one impression.
Provenance: Formerly in the Collection of Baroness Alix de Rothschild (1911-1982).
Literature: Ågerup, J. (1994). Zao Wou-Ki – The Graphic Work – A Catalogue Raisonné 1937-1995. Copenhagen: Heede & Moestrup.
Reference: Ågerup 15
Condition: Good condition. The margins reduced on all sides. The sheet is glued to a card support. Scattered foxing across the sheet.
