About the Art

Painting with only one color, French artist Yves Klein (1928 – 1962) created complex and enigmatic works of art. He painted monochromes so that only the purity and absoluteness of color would make its impact without what he called the “prison grating” of lines. Shocked and disheartened when an exhibition of his monochromes was misunderstood, the artist decided to paint all future works in only blue and developed his own patented shade called International Klein Blue. He also explored the theme of the infinite by creating paintings, books and musical compositions entirely devoid of content. Klein’s painting “RE I” sold for a staggering $6,716,000 at Christie’s in 2000.