Born in Beijing, Zao studied at Hangzhou Academy of Fine Arts under the direction of Lin Fengmian, and remained at the Academy to teach after graduating in 1941. He left for Paris and held his first solo exhibition in 1947. His works had been on exhibition at famous galleries in Paris and New York in the late 40s and throughout the 50s. He had become the most outstanding Chinese painter in Paris since the 70s. Zao’s powerful abstract paintings are highly recommended in Western countries, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The works are included in the collections of museums and art galleries all over the world.

赵无极，华裔法国画家。生于中国北京。童年在江苏南通读书，并学习绘画。1935年入杭州艺术专科学校，师从林风眠。1948年赴法国留学，并定居法国。在绘画创作上，以西方现代绘画的形式和油画的色彩技巧，参与中国传统文化艺术的意蕴，创造了色彩变幻、笔触有力、富有韵律感和光感的新的绘画空间，被称为“西方现代抒情抽象派的代表”。现为法兰西画廊终身画家、巴黎国立装饰艺术高等学校教授，获法国骑士勋章。曾在世界各地举办160余次个人画展。2013年4月9日下午，赵无极因病医治无效在瑞士沃州逝世，享年92岁。