Art Auction in Germany: Important Painting by Zao Wou-Ki

MUNICH, GERMANY--(Marketwired - May 30, 2013) - One cannot help but be fascinated by Zao Wou-Ki's Composition. On June 8, 2013, this masterpiece of the recently deceased Peking artist will come up at auction for an estimated price of EUR 250,000-350,000 at the renowned auction house Ketterer Kunst. It is one of the rare oil paintings by the artist.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to auction this impressive work, especially after the stunning results that we were able to achieve in December 2012 for an oil painting (start price: EUR 280,000; proceeds: EUR 512,000*) and a watercolor (start price: EUR 28,000; proceeds: EUR 116,000*) by this extraordinary artist," says Robert Ketterer, auctioneer and owner of Ketterer Kunst. He further notes: "More and more people are coming to appreciate the oeuvre of Zao Wou-Ki, for unlike any other artist, he is able to masterfully combine oriental calligraphy with the European Informel. With apparent effortlessness, Zao Wou-Ki guides the traditions of the different cultures toward each other and then lets them melt together."

At the young age of fourteen, Zao Wou-Ki began his studies at the Hangchow (Hangzhou) Art Academy. Six years later he became a professor there. In 1948 he emigrated to Paris and made the acquaintance of Henri Michaux, Alberto Giacometti and Joan Miró. Wou-Ki was greatly impressed by the European modernists, although he never forgot his Chinese roots. As a result, he was able to create poetically abstract paintings invoking landscaped cosmic associations and unifying oriental and occidental traditions. The artist has received many honorary doctorates for his work, as well as the Japanese Premium Imperial Award. In addition, Wou-Ki's work has been shown at major international exhibits, including the Biennale in Venice, Italy. Zao Wou-Ki passed away on April 9, 2013 in Nyon on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Detailed information on the work of art, including a report on its condition, is available at: www.kettererkunst.com/details-e.php?obnr=113000932&anummer=407

Since its founding in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has firmly established itself in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in fine art and rare books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery space in Berlin and representative offices in Heidelberg, Düsseldorf and Modena, Italy contribute significantly to the company's success. In addition, exhibits, special theme and charity auctions, as well as on-line auctions take place regularly at Ketterer Kunst.