1337 - Zao Wou-Ki

Zao Wou-Ki Rimbaud, Arthur Arthur Rimbaud, *Les Illuminations*. Paris, Le Club français du livre, 1967. With 8 full-page, multicolored original aquatint etchings by Zao Wou-Ki on BFK de Rives paper. Folio (approx. 42 × 31.5 cm), loose sheets, in the original slipcase and original cover One of 200 copies. - Minssieux, Zao Wou-Ki: estampes & livres illustrés, 2008, no. 6. Jorgen Agerup, Zao Wou-Ki: The Graphic Work, 1994, nos. 174–181. Françoise Marquet, Zao Wou-Ki, les estampes 1937–1974, 1975, nos. 175–182. Each 31 x 23.3 cm (42 x 31.4 cm). - Signed in the colophon. - Zao Wou-Ki’s illustrations for Rimbaud’s “Illuminations” are among the most significant artist’s books of the École de Paris after 1945. The Beijing-born painter had lived in Paris since 1948. In the 1950s and 1960s, he developed a lyrical, atmospheric style of abstraction. It combines the spatial conception of Chinese ink painting with the color sensibility of European modernism. Rimbaud’s visionary prose poems provide a perfect vehicle for this. Zao responds to them not with narrative illustration, but with free spaces of color. Light, mist, and movement dissolve within them into luminous, flowing forms. The eight etchings are printed using aquatint and etching in multiple color passes, with precise registration. The color palette ranges from deep blue through violet and green to warm ochre and red tones. The prints were produced in the workshop of Lacourière et Frelaut, which was renowned for its print quality. Magnificent prints, executed in luminous color fields and finely graded aquatint, in which Zao Wou-Ki’s abstract fields of form appear as vibrant, atmospheric zones of light on heavy vellum paper. The work is classified among Zao Wou-Ki’s prints, which are closely associated with the Informel movement. It is one of the artist’s most sought-after portfolios. Rimbaud’s “Illuminations,” presumably written between 1873 and 1875 and not published until 1886, are a collection of visionary prose poems and verses. They dissolve the boundaries of space, time, and perception in bold, intoxicating images and are considered pioneers of modern poetry. - A fine copy. With 8 full-page, multicolored original aquatint etchings by Zao Wou-Ki on BFK de Rives paper. Folio (approx. 42 × 31.5 cm), loose sheets, in the original wrapper and original slipcase. One of 200 copies. - Signed in the colophon. - Zao Wou-Ki’s illustrations for Rimbaud’s *Illuminations* rank among the most important artists’ books of the École de Paris after 1945. The painter, born in Beijing, had lived in Paris since 1948. In the 1950s and 1960s, he developed a lyrical, atmospheric abstraction that combines the spatial conception of Chinese ink painting with the color culture of European modernism. Rimbaud’s visionary prose poems provide a perfect setting for this. Zao responds to them not with narrative illustration but with free fields of color, in which light, mist, and movement dissolve into luminous, flowing forms. The eight etchings are printed in aquatint and etching in several color passes, with precise registration. The palette ranges from deep blue through violet and green to warm ochre and red tones. The prints were produced in the workshop of Lacourière et Frelaut, renowned for its printing quality. These magnificent prints, executed in luminous fields of color and finely graded aquatint, feature Zao Wou-Ki’s abstract formal areas as vibrating, atmospheric zones of light on heavy wove paper. The work is considered one of Zao Wou-Ki’s Informel-related prints. It is among the artist’s most sought-after portfolio works. Rimbaud’s *Illuminations*, likely written between 1873 and 1875 and not published until 1886, is a collection of visionary prose poems and verse. They dissolve the boundaries of space, time, and perception in bold, rapturous images and are regarded as a forerunner of modern poetry. - Good condition. This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard margin scheme. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.