Zao Wou-Ki (Zhao Wuji)

signed in pinyin and Chinese, signed in pinyin, titled and dated 27. 4. 1952 on the reverse; Cadby-Birch Gallery label affixed to the reverse 

Private American Collection

This work is in very good condition overall. There is evidence of minor craquelure and light wear along the edges of the painting. There is no evidence of restoration under UV.
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This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Archives Zao Wou-Ki.

Nature morte aux poissons is a representative work from Zao Wou-Ki's still life series completed in the 1950, which demonstrates the artist's groundbreaking innovation. Unlike many of his other monochrome works, here Zao boldly juxtaposes contrasting colors maroon-red and celadon-green as his backdrop. Aside from dividing the composition into sections, the colors also naturally give the work an air of oriental spirit. The luscious Chinese red, a symbol of good fortune and joy, is widely used for decoration in folk festivals and ceremonies in China; while the celadon-green is reminiscent of Chinese bronze vessels, which enriches the content of the painting. On the desk in the foreground, scattered gardenia blossoms and chestnuts, a round vase on the ride side and the unknown blooming flowers in the vase flanked by two fish (symbolizing abundance and fertility) create a harmonious and auspicious whole. The viewer can see Zao successfully incorporates multiple perspectives into the structure of objects, putting Paul Cézanne's revolutionary Cubism into practice. In the expense of red he deftly adds azure-blue and bistre-yellow which brings freshness and elegance to the composition. The thin black and white lines on the vase on the right side of the canvas represent the sun and the moon respectively, as if the artist attempts to capture darkness and light in the vase, composing an enchanting and poetic atmosphere pervading the whole painting. The mysterious scene has left boundless room for imagination.

In fact, the subject of still life paintings is particularly associated with the western tradition. Contrary to the Western art education which emphasizes drawing techniques, calligraphy skills are more vital for artists from the East. Even though Zao, an artist of Chinese origin living abroad, has mastered the art of calligraphy when he first arrived in Paris, he still created still life paintings to not only pay homage to the modern master Cézanne, but also stimulate his art to surpass himself with constant innovation. Nature morte aux poissons is among the largest of Zao's still life paintings. Its appearance on the market is a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a masterpiece that has been held in a private American collection for over 60 years.