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Yves Klein

Born – Nice, France 1928

Died – Paris, France 1962

 

Yves Klein had no formal training in art. He was a jazz musician who, between 1952 and 1953 had lived in Japan, where he became a black belt in judo. In the 1950s Klein began to exhibit monochrome canvases covered in a distinctive shade of blue, which he referred to as International Klein Blue. This painting is one of these paintings, hence the title, IKB 79. The all-pervading colour is intended to act as a contemplative screen rather than to encourage the viewer to make subjective associations. Klein’s minimalist exhibition of 1958 flouted every convention, presenting to the public an empty, white-washed Parisian gallery. Known as The Void, it was the scene of a near riot when it opened. Klein continued to shock, with his “happenings” known as Anthropométries 1958-1960. In these, nude models daubed in blue paint imprinted themselves in canvas to musical accompaniment – a single note sustained for ten minutes, alternated with ten minutes of silence. His works were produced using a variety of unorthodox methods, including a flame-thrower, and rainfall on to a prepared canvas. Klein died aged 34 from a heart attack. His innovatory work had a lasting impact on the development of twentieth-century art.

 

Masterpieces:

• Fire F 45
• Trilogie Blue – Or Pink

Text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson.

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