Foret Perdue © Zao Wou-Ki 1955
Zao Wou-Ki
18 works
Key Takeaways
Zao Wou-Ki's prints have demonstrated significant market strength, with individual works typically fetching between £5,000 and £30,000. His most sought-after lithographs and etchings can command even higher prices, with some collections achieving over £45,000 at auction. The record price for a Zao print sale is held by Elégie Pour Jean-Marie (1978), which sold for £49,427 in 2013. Authentication of Zao's prints requires meticulous examination of paper quality, printing technique, and provenance, with only the Foundation Zao Wou-Ki now able to issue certificates of authenticity due to a rise in counterfeits. Strategic timing of sales, such as during major retrospectives or following significant anniversaries, can optimise returns for sellers, with notable price surges observed after the artist's death in 2013.
Zao Wou-Ki was a Chinese-French artist known for creating abstract art that bridges Eastern and Western artistic traditions. His prints, much like his paintings, are characterised by their lyrical abstraction, blending elements of Chinese calligraphy with Western Modernist techniques. If you are looking to part with a Zao print, this guide will help you navigate the market, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and selling strategies.
Zao's artistic journey began in China, where he was trained in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. His move to Paris in 1948 marked a turning point, exposing him to Western Abstract Expressionism and Informel art. This unique fusion of cultural influences is evident in his printmaking, which encompasses lithography, etching, and aquatint techniques. Zao's prints often feature abstract landscapes, cosmic visions, and gestural marks that evoke both Chinese ink painting and Western abstraction.
Throughout his career, Zao collaborated with several prestigious print studios and publishers, including Atelier Desjobert in Paris, with whom he discovered lithography, and 2RC Edizioni d'Arte in Rome. These partnerships resulted in some of his most coveted print series, showcasing his evolving style from the 1950s through to the early 2000s.
How Much Do Zao Wou-Ki Prints Sell For?
Zao Wou-Ki's status as a major figure in 20th century abstract art, along with the unique meld of cultural styles he employs, has ensured that the market for his prints remains strong after his death in 2013. Individual prints by Zao typically fetch between £5,000 and £30,000, with portfolios of prints commanding higher prices.
Zao's lithographs from the 1960s and 1970s perform best at auction. The current record price for a Zao print sale is held by Elégie Pour Jean-Marie (1978), a collection of four prints that sold for £49,427 in 2013, just after the artist’s death. Zao’s nature-focused prints, featuring more representational elements alongside his emerging abstract style, from the 1950s also fare well. In 2011, a pair of prints, Les Cerfs/Hortensias (1952), sold for £46,734.
As a general rule, Zao’s work became more abstract as his career progressed. Works such as Suite Olympique Centennal (1992), Sans Titre (1990), and print portfolios such as Four Seasons (2000), feature bold primary colours, expressive brushstrokes, and rough suggestions of depth. These works, particularly when sold as part of collections of Zao prints, are still popular at auction, often achieving prices of above £15,000.
Limited edition prints with low run numbers tend to command premium prices. Zao's collaborations with poets and writers, resulting in illustrated books and portfolios, are particularly prized by collectors due to their added cultural significance. The complete set of eight lithographs for Lecture by Henri Michaux, published in 1975, sold for over £30,000 at auction in 2011.
Zao experimented with different printmaking techniques. His aquatints and etchings, which often feature subtle colour gradations and intricate linework, appear less frequently for sale, but achieve higher prices when sold as individual prints than Zao’s lithographs. An untitled etching and aquatint print from 1970, for example, sold for £33,680 in 2014.
How Do You Authenticate A Zao Wou-Ki Print?
Authenticating a Zao Wou-Ki print begins with a thorough examination of the print's history of ownership and exhibition, or provenance. Any documentation, such as certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, or correspondence with the artist or his studio, will be invaluable. There has been a rise in counterfeit Zao prints, originating in South America and Asia, with false certificates of authenticity claiming to be from the Galerie de France. As such, all certificates of authenticity can now only be issued by the Foundation Zao Wou-Ki.
Zao used high-quality papers throughout his career, including handmade Japanese papers for many of his lithographs. Understanding the characteristics of these materials and identifying them is essential, but can only be done by a professional appraiser with expertise in Zao’s work, or that of 20th century art. The printing process itself, whether lithography, etching, or aquatint, should be consistent with Zao's practices for the period in which the print was produced.
The Foundation Zao Wou-Ki has compiled a definitive catalogue raisonné, providing easy tools for Zao print owners to check probable authenticity. Records from galleries and print studios that collaborated with Zao can provide crucial information - the Museum of Fine Arts of Cincinnati, for example, held a retrospective of Zao’s prints as early as 1954.
Edition and Signature
Zao Wou-Ki's approach to signing and numbering his prints was generally consistent throughout his career. His signature appears in pencil in the lower left or right corner of the print. The edition number is usually found in the lower right, written as a fraction (e.g., 10/150). Zao's print editions varied in size, with some limited to as few as 30 copies, while others reached 200 or more.
Understanding the nuances of Zao's signature and numbering practices across different periods of his career is crucial for accurate authentication and valuation. With so many convincing forgeries in circulation, consultation with experts who specialise in Zao's work is often necessary to verify these details and confirm the print's legitimacy - if in doubt, speak to the MyArtBroker team or contact the Fondation Zao Wou-Ki.
Browse Zao Wou-Ki prints on the Trading Floor and find out more about the print market growth on the MAB100 Print Index.
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Has Your Zao Wou-Ki Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
Zao's prints, from his earlier representational works to his later abstract pieces, are known for their subtle colour gradations and intricate layers of detail, making any deterioration particularly noticeable and potentially detrimental to the work's overall impact and value.
Zao used high-quality, acid-free papers for his prints, including fine Japanese papers known for their durability and texture. These papers, while generally resistant to degradation, can still be affected by environmental factors over time. When assessing a Zao print, it's essential to examine the paper for any signs of discolouration or fading caused by direct sunlight or water damage. Over time, improper protection can lead to foxing (brown spots caused by oxidation), acid burn, or marks left by insects and mould. Rough handling can lead to tears and creases - if you need to handle your print, ensure you do so while wearing clean cotton gloves.
For Zao's aquatints and etchings, which often feature areas of rich, velvety blacks and fine linear details, it's important to check for any loss of definition in these areas. The delicate embossing created by the etching process should be intact, as this tactile quality is an integral part of the print's character.
We recommend that prints should be kept in horizontal, acid-free folders or portfolios, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free matting are recommended to prevent light damage and acid migration.
For a thorough assessment, consulting a paper conservator specialising in modern and contemporary prints is advisable. They can provide a detailed condition report and offer guidance on any necessary conservation measures. While minor imperfections might be acceptable given the age of some prints, significant damage or alterations can substantially decrease value. Equally, overzealous restoration can alter the balance of a Zao print, damaging the colours and details of the work and the integrity of the paper - this will have a negative impact on the value of the print.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Zao Wou-Ki print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Zao Wou-Ki Print?
Choosing the best time to sell your Zao print involves a careful understanding of the changing market. While Zao’s market has shown steady growth in recent decades, particular spikes in interest do still regularly occur and should be taken advantage of by sellers.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives of Zao's work often generate increased interest and media coverage, potentially driving up demand and prices for his prints. For example, the comprehensive retrospective (the first of its kind in the US) at the Asia Society Museum in New York in 2016-2017 sparked renewed international attention on Zao's work. Similarly, The Way is Infinite: Centennial Retrospective Exhibition of Zao Wou-Ki, which opened in 2023 at the China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, to mark 10 years since Zao’s death encouraged greater appreciation of Zao’s lifetime portfolio of work as a whole.
The artist’s death in 2013, however, prompted the biggest surge in print value increase. Many prints sold in this year far exceeded their high estimates. Deux Colombes (1955) and Paysage Bleu (1956) sold together in October 2013 for over three times their combined high estimate. Similarly, in May 2013, a collection of three untitled prints, including Sans Titre (1990), sold for over £38,000 after receiving a high estimate of £15,000.
Anniversary years related to significant moments in Zao's career can also create opportune selling moments. The centenary of his birth in 2020, for instance, saw numerous exhibitions and publications, reigniting interest in his work across different mediums, including prints. We also recommend keeping an eye on broader trends in the art market, particularly those related to post-war abstraction and Asian Modernism. Surges of interest in these areas can create a favourable environment for selling Zao's prints. Additionally, the growing interest in cross-cultural art, bridging Eastern and Western traditions, has positively impacted Zao's market in recent years.
Monitoring sales results and value trajectory reports from major auction houses and galleries is often the quickest way to assess the current market for Zao’s work. These resources can provide insights into which periods or techniques of Zao's printmaking are currently in highest demand. For instance, if there's a surge of interest in Zao's early lithographs from the 1950s, it might be an opportune time to sell works from that period.
MyArtBroker offers advanced art tech tools to help you determine the optimal time to sell. Our MyPortfolio service features an AI-powered value indicator that provides real-time valuations of individual prints based on both public and private sales data. Combined with our complimentary valuations, we can help ensure your print achieves maximum value by selling at the perfect moment.
Ways to Sell with MyArtBroker
At MyArtBroker, our specialists provide a free market valuation for your artwork, offering a level of transparency unmatched in today’s market. In addition to our valuations, through our online Trading Floor, you can access real-time insights into works by the artist you’re looking to sell, including pieces that are most in demand, wanted, or currently for sale: allowing sellers to trust the valuation that they are provided.
Additionally, the MyPortfolio collection management service grants you free access to our comprehensive print market database. This resource allows you to review auction histories for the specific work you’re looking to sell, including hammer prices, values paid, and seller returns. In a fluctuating market, this historical data is invaluable - and often comes at a cost elsewhere - offering insights into past and current values to further inform decisions based on market timing and conditions. In addition to our specialists guidance, you have concrete data.
Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:
How a Private Sale Works
Unlike peer-to-peer platforms, which lack specialised expertise, authenticity guarantees, and legal infrastructure for high-value sales, MyArtBroker operates through private sales ensuring a secure and seamless transaction process. We charge sellers 0% to sell, and take a small commission from our buyers, absorbing essential aspects including insurance, shipping, and marketing - at no extra cost to the seller. There is no magic to it, we’re a lean specialised business with less overheads than traditional models meaning we can do better for our clients.
Our revenue is derived from buyer commissions only, which are individually negotiated upon offer, and we aim to give the client the best return in the market place. By focusing on high-value artworks in excess of £10,000, we provide specialised care and expertise, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves, while simultaneously maximising returns with our clients. For works that fall below this threshold speak to the team about a recommendation, we offer market advisory free of charge. Our goal at MyArtBroker is to offer a seamless solution, setting us apart in the art market.
Advisory and Recommendations
In cases for artists and artworks, where our existing network of collectors isn’t the best fit due to value, medium or condition we collaborate with reputable partners to facilitate its sale. Carefully tailoring your artwork to the right party. This tailored approach is especially important as it considers the unique attributes of each artwork, providing sellers with the best possible outcome in today’s shifting art market. You can discuss this approach with us without charge as part of our advisory service.
Such recommendations are on a case-by-case basis, and ensures broader exposure and takes advantage of our knowledge of where a work will do best.
Zao Wou-Ki Collection Management with MyPortfolio
In addition to our live trading floor, MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio serves as a collection management system, empowering collectors to curate and oversee their prints and editions collection. This feature grants users access to our print market database, uniquely tied to our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX. This algorithm scans and analyses both public auction and private sales data to determine real time valuations of individual print works, factoring in various aspects such as condition, colour, and other factors affecting value.
Read What Powers MyArtBroker's Technology? In Conversation With Stuart Jamieson, Financial Quant to learn more about our algorithm.
Zao Wou-Ki
18 works
