- 597
Zhao Wuji (Zao Wou-Ki) B. 1921
Estimate
500,000 - 700,000 HKD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Zhao Wuji (Zao Wou-Ki)
- BOURGES CATHEDRAL (SAINT ETIENNE'S CATHEDRAL)
- oil on canvas, framed
Signed Wuji, Zao, The reverse, signed Zao Wou-ki, dated 1951,and titled in pencil.
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist by Dimitri Kessel in Paris in 1953.
Gift from Dimitri Kessel to John F.Jenkisson.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, May 2000, Lot 354
Catalogue Note
According to John F.Jenkisson, he met Zao Wouki only once, which was in 1952, during my third year as the director of Paris office for the LIFE magazine.
"Our head photographer, Dimitri Kessel, was finding promising young painters to buy their works. Zao Wouki was one of his painters. One day Kesel and I were invited to lunch. I remember the couple were very charming and attractive, and the artist's wife being a remarkably good cook.
When my four-year tour shift in Europe came to an end in December of 1953, I got packed and were ready to be on board Andrea Doria back to the States. A large and heavy package was delivered to me at the last minute before the departure of the ocean liner. When eventually I was at home in New York, the package was opened, and inside I found a dozen of my favorite white wine, a dozen tulip glasses, and this piece by Zao Wou-ki, from Dimitri kessel as a farewell gift. In the following forty-six years, the painting accompanied me across the country from New Canaan, Connecticut, to Los Angeles, then back to Connecticut, and at last Santa Barbara, California, where I retired and settled down.
Bourges Cathedral (Saitn Etienne's Catherdral) lies in Bourges, a medium-sized town 250km south of Paris, France. The cathedral was first built in the 12 th century and reconstructions had been carried out to the 15th century. Being a UNESCO World Hertiage, it is one of the most ancient and great masterpieces of Gothic art of all time.
"Our head photographer, Dimitri Kessel, was finding promising young painters to buy their works. Zao Wouki was one of his painters. One day Kesel and I were invited to lunch. I remember the couple were very charming and attractive, and the artist's wife being a remarkably good cook.
When my four-year tour shift in Europe came to an end in December of 1953, I got packed and were ready to be on board Andrea Doria back to the States. A large and heavy package was delivered to me at the last minute before the departure of the ocean liner. When eventually I was at home in New York, the package was opened, and inside I found a dozen of my favorite white wine, a dozen tulip glasses, and this piece by Zao Wou-ki, from Dimitri kessel as a farewell gift. In the following forty-six years, the painting accompanied me across the country from New Canaan, Connecticut, to Los Angeles, then back to Connecticut, and at last Santa Barbara, California, where I retired and settled down.
Bourges Cathedral (Saitn Etienne's Catherdral) lies in Bourges, a medium-sized town 250km south of Paris, France. The cathedral was first built in the 12 th century and reconstructions had been carried out to the 15th century. Being a UNESCO World Hertiage, it is one of the most ancient and great masterpieces of Gothic art of all time.