Zao Wou-Ki, 05.06.80 – Triptyque, 1980. Oil on canvas (triptych). Overall: 76 3/4 x 153 1/2 in. Estimate: US$10,000,000 – 15,000,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2024.

HONG KONG.- Christie’s announced Zao Wou-Ki’s rare and epic 05.06.80 – Triptyque as the first headlining masterpiece of the inaugural sales at its new Asia Pacific headquarters at The Henderson building in Hong Kong. In the same family collection for close 40 years, this historically significant work will have its auction debut in the 20th/21st Century Evening Sale on 26 September with an estimate of US$10,000,000 – 15,000,000 / HK$78,000,000 – 128,000,000. This September’s inaugural sales will showcase Christie’s unique curatorial offering in Hong Kong, shining the global spotlight on outstanding artistry and prestigious collections from the East, together with masterpieces from the West for collectors internationally – further highlights will be announced imminently.

Cristian Albu, Head of 20th/21st Century Art, Asia Pacific commented: “We are honoured to present this seminal triptych by Zao Wou-Ki this September at our new Asia Pacific headquarters and to offer such an important and rare acquisition opportunity for collectors. The 20th and 21st Century inaugural sales at The Henderson will epitomise a key aspect of our curatorial mission for the category in Hong Kong – to globally showcase both Eastern and Western artistry, and the dialogues between them, through exceptional masterpieces.”

Eric Chang, Chairman, 20th/21st Century Art, Asia Pacific commented: “It is a privilege for Christie’s to be entrusted with 05.06.80 – Triptyque – an arresting masterpiece by Zao Wou-Ki, the father of Chinese modern art and a visionary master who seamlessly melded Western influences with Chinese tradition. Representative of Zao’s renowned ‘Infinity Period’, this is a work of art historical importance with an illustrious institutional record that begins in Paris and tours the East – a testament to the artist’s international prestige. Its mesmerising composition offers a window into Zao’s unique perception of the world at a golden moment in his career and his life. This is a landmark sale that will resonate with collectors around the world.”

As one of only 12 triptychs created by Zao Wou-Ki in the 1980s, including the 10-meter triptych that remains the artist’s auction record to this day, 05.06.80 – Triptyque is a true market rarity and a masterpiece of global appeal – only four triptychs have ever appeared at auction. Painted in 1980, during the artist’s ‘Infinity Period’, the monumental work marks the pinnacle of Zao’s artistic career, a time when he reached unprecedented international acclaim. 05.06.80 – Triptyque exemplifies Zao’s tour de force in amalgamating the Western technique of capturing light and shadow with the Eastern philosophy of transforming elements of nature into the purest forms of energy. 05.06.80 – Triptyque presents a view from the inside looking out like the dynamic perspective found in Chinese traditional landscape painting (Shanshui) while simultaneously capturing the turbulent flow of time and space.

05.06.80 – Triptyque possesses a highly prestigious exhibition history that reflects Zao’s artistic journey and recognition both in the East and West. The artist created the triptych specially for his first major French solo exhibition at the Grand Palais, Paris in 1981 – a show that paid tribute at the highest institutional level to Zao’s 30-year artistic achievement in the West and unveiled a new chapter of enlivening the artist’s heritage in the East. The exhibition was subsequently toured to five museums in Japan, before its display at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in 1982, and then as part of a solo exhibition held at the National Art Museum of China in 1983—the first exhibition Zao had in his homeland since his departure in 1948. Later, the work was toured to the artist’s alma mater—the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. It has remained in private hands since the 1980s.