Yves Klein was a French artist born in 1928 and one of the most important figures in post-war European art. A huge contributor and important member of the French movement, Nouveau realism, Klein was an innovator in performance, minimal, and pop art. Klein began practicing judo, a modern martial Japanese art, after his studies at the École Nationale de la Marine Marchande and the École Nationale des Langues Orientales. After becoming close to artists Arman and Claude Pascal, he started to paint at the age of 19. Klein and his close friends found their inspiration together in the world that surrounded them, with Klein choosing the space or sky, which held spiritual significance to him. After settling in Paris in 1954, Klein established his art career in painting. Most noted for his signature monochromatic painting style, Klein had created a new shade of blue that is similar to the likes of lapis lazuli. It became known as International Klein Blue and was used many times over the duration of his career. His usage of his signature blue marked his Minimalist reputation before he died in 1962. Klein’s work today continues to live on in galleries and museums all across the world.
