Zao Wou-KiSans Titre
1959
Oil on canvas
Signed and dated lower right
8.66 x 10.63 in ( 22 x 27 cm )

Zoom

Inquiry - Sans Titre, 1959

Although the majority of his paintings are in color, Zao Wou-Ki also created works in black and white that reflect his mastery of composition and sense of movement.
This 1959 work is executed with remarkable precision and fluidity. The stark contrast between deep black and crisp white creates dynamic tension. Flowing lines, shapes and energetic touches unfold through the space. What makes this work particularly fascinating is the subtle balance between movement and stability. The dynamic elements seem to float in an infinite space, but they are also anchored by more solid forms which add a certain structure to the whole. This tension between chaos and order gives the work a vigorous energy and testifies to the artist's exceptional talent for composition and expression.