UNTITLED

Painted in 1964, this delicate watercolour work Untitled (Lot 368) was dedicated to Diane et Philippe Baude, nephew of Raoul Baude and close friend of the artist. Raoul Baude (1912-2005) settled in China at the beginning of the 20th century. Besides his activity as a General Inspector of the Chinese salt tax from 1934, he would be a faithful defender of the then-young Zao Wou-Ki. Admirer of Lin Fengmian, Raoul Baude earned his reputation as a fine talent-scout as he would be the first one to organize an exhibition with works of Zao Wou-Ki in 1947 at the Alliance Française of Shanghai. One year later, Zao Wou-Ki settled in Paris and strengthened his relationship with the Baude family based in France at that time. This watercolour, painted at a turning point in the life and work of the artist, is also a testimony of the artist’s circle of friends in his adopted country.