Yves Klein
  • Biography
  • Artworks
  • Movements

Yves Klein

France • 1928 - 1962  523 followers

Art is the perfect health of the mind.

Biography

Yves Klein is a pivotal figure in contemporary art, renowned for his revolutionary use of color, performance, and his creation of the iconic International Klein Blue (IKB). His innovative work continues to captivate art collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, with recent exhibitions such as Yves Klein: A Retrospective at the Tate Liverpool reinforcing his status as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Klein's work, particularly his monochromatic blue pieces and performances, challenged the boundaries of traditional art, blending physicality with conceptual exploration.

Klein's legacy is solidified by his groundbreaking experiments with color, including his signature IKB, which remains one of the most recognizable and sought-after hues in the art market. His incorporation of living brushes—models covered in paint to create art during public performances—helped redefine the role of the artist and the art-making process. Klein's work continues to fetch impressive prices at auction, with collectors eager to own pieces from this transformative artist.

Known for pushing the limits of materiality and exploring themes of spirituality, Klein also introduced pink and gold into his palette, seeking to bridge the body and the spirit through his art. His works are in major collections worldwide, including MoMA in New York, the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris, and the Guggenheim, ensuring his influence remains strong. Yves Klein's art continues to be a valuable asset for collectors, reflecting his timeless impact on the global art scene.

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Design, Table d'Or, Yves Klein

Table d'Or

Yves Klein

Design - 37.5 x 100 x 126 cm Design - 14.8 x 39.4 x 49.6 inch

$32,144

Sculpture, Petite Vénus bleue, Yves Klein

Petite Vénus bleue

Yves Klein

Sculpture - 6.2 x 2.4 x 0.1 cm Sculpture - 2.4 x 0.9 x 0 inch

$9,524

Design, Table IKB, Yves Klein

Table IKB

Yves Klein

Design - 37.5 x 125 x 100 cm Design - 14.8 x 49.2 x 39.4 inch

$26,429

Design, Table Monopink, Yves Klein

Table Monopink

Yves Klein

Design - 37.5 x 125 x 100 cm Design - 14.8 x 49.2 x 39.4 inch

$30,715

Design, Table Monogold, Yves Klein

Table Monogold

Yves Klein

Design - 37.5 x 125 x 100 cm Design - 14.8 x 49.2 x 39.4 inch

$36,430

Sculpture, S9 - Victoire de Samothrace, Yves Klein

S9 - Victoire de Samothrace

Yves Klein

Sculpture - 49 x 27.5 x 25 cm Sculpture - 19.3 x 10.8 x 9.8 inch

$327,392

Print, Autoportrait, Yves Klein

Autoportrait

Yves Klein

Print - 55 x 55 x 0.02 cm Print - 21.7 x 21.7 x 0 inch

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Why did Yves Klein choose blue?

Yves Klein chose blue, specifically International Klein Blue (IKB), because he saw it as the most abstract and infinite color, evoking the immaterial and the spiritual. He believed blue had no dimensions and best represented pure space.

What is Yves Klein's religion?

Yves Klein was raised in a Catholic family, but his work and personal philosophy were more influenced by mysticism, Eastern religions, and esoteric traditions than by any specific religious practice. He explored spiritual themes beyond conventional religion.

Who is the artist who only uses blue?

The artist famously known for using only blue is Yves Klein. He created the iconic "International Klein Blue" (IKB) and used it almost exclusively in his monochrome paintings and performances.

What is the most expensive Yves Klein?

The most expensive Yves Klein artwork is "FC1 (Fire Color 1)", sold for $36.4 million at Christie's in 2012. This piece is part of his iconic fire paintings series, created in 1962.