Christie’s Hong Kong will proudly present the exceptional work by modern art master Zao Wou-Ki, created in 1963, during the upcoming Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Evening Auctions on September 26, 2025. This museum-quality masterpiece makes its debut in the auction scene, with an estimated value soaring between HKD 70 million and 90 million, capturing the attention of the art community and collectors alike.
17.3.63 is a significant work from Zhao Wuzhi created between 1959 and 1972, serving as a crucial representation of his transition from the structure of oracle bone script to the phase of abstract brushwork. The painting measures 130 x 97.2 centimeters and features a classic axial layout. Its composition is propelled downward by a series of dynamic brush strokes, creating an overall structure that is both expressive and cohesive. The dominant color of the piece is an exceptionally rare vibrant red, which is extremely uncommon among Zhao’s contemporaneous works, delivering a powerful visual impact and high market recognition.
According to data from Christie’s, only 19 works created by Zao Wou-Ki in the 1960s, primarily featuring vibrant reds and measuring similarly large or even bigger, exist today. Among these, only 8 pieces, including 17.3.63, have never appeared in the auction market. This release is a truly rare gem, presenting a unique opportunity in the market.
After its completion, this work was featured in Zhao Wuji’s first major retrospective held at the Folkwang Museum in Essen, Germany, in 1965, marking the growing establishment of his international status in the art world. By this time, the artist had moved to a skylight studio in Paris, where the abundant natural light brought a fresh layer to the treatment of light and shadow in his paintings. In 17.3.63, light cascades down from above, creating a rich sense of space and rhythmic contrast, reflecting the artist’s matured control over form and structure.
In the creative phases of Zao Wou-Ki, Crazy Writing Period is regarded as his most academically and commercially valuable period. During this time, his works feature bold lines and layers of ink that showcase a transformative language merging the spirit of Chinese calligraphy with Western abstract expressionism. The pieces often integrate the dynamism of calligraphic strokes throughout, adopting compositions that either unfold from left to right or focus vertically, reflecting the creative tension between the artist and the canvas Fight.
In terms of auction records, the piece created in 1963, 24.01.63, was sold for HK$76,280,000 at Christie’s in Hong Kong in 2021. Measuring 115 x 88 centimeters, it holds a value of approximately HK$7,537 per square centimeter. 17.3.63 is about 25% larger, and if we calculate its market potential based on the area, it could exceed HK$95,000,000, making it one of Zao Wou-Ki’s most highly valued auction pieces.
In recent years, Zao Wou-Ki’s works have frequently appeared on the international art stage. In 2023, the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou will hold The Infinite Path: A Century Retrospective of Zhao Wuji; in 2025, the M+ Museum in Hong Kong will present Zhao Wuji: The Artistry of Printmaking, focusing on his printmaking and the process of artistic transformation. These exhibitions provide greater academic context and historical positioning for his works, further enhancing market attention towards him.
(All works by Zao Wou-Ki : ⓒ Zao Wou-Ki – ProLitteris, Zurich.)
Christie’s Asia Chairperson Cheng Shou-kang stated that 17.3.63 encapsulates the key vocabulary of Zao Wou-ki’s artistic style transformation, showcasing a high level of artistic maturity and emotional expressiveness. This makes it a significant milestone in terms of both collectability and exhibition value. This auction not only adds highlights to the art market but also serves as a testament to Zao Wou-ki’s long-term consolidation and deepening of his international status.
Zhao Wuji 17.3.63 Auction and Preview Information
Lot Information
Artwork Title: Zhao Wuji 17.3.63
Year of Creation: 1963
Medium and Size: Oil on canvas, 130 x 97.2 cm
Estimated Price: HK$70,000,000 – 90,000,000
Exhibition Record: Featured in the Zhao Wuji Retrospective at the Folkwang Museum, Essen, Germany in 1965
Auction Record: First appearance in the auction market
Auction Details
Auction Session: Evening Auction of the 20th and 21st Century
Auction Date: September 26, 2025 (Friday)
Location: Christie’s Asia-Pacific Headquarters
Address: 1st Floor, The Henderson, 18 Merchant Road, Central, Hong Kong
Preview Arrangement
[Taipei]
Location: Taipei Marriott Hotel
Address: No. 199, Lequn 2nd Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Exhibition Period: September 2 to 3, 2025
Location: The Arts House at The Old Parliament
Address: 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore
Exhibition Period: September 7 to 8, 2025
Location: Christie’s Shanghai Art Space
Address: 1 Zhongshan East 1st Road, 3rd Floor, Shanghai
Date of the exhibition: September 14 to 15, 2025
Location: Christie’s Beijing Art Space
Address: 99 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Exhibition Dates: September 17 to 18, 2025
Location: Christie’s Asia Pacific Headquarters
Address: 18 Merrion Road, The Henderson Building, 1st Floor, Central, Hong Kong
Exhibition Period: September 22 to 26, 2025
