# Yves Klein

> 20th century French visual artist (1928–1962)

**Wikidata**: [Q154335](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q154335)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yves_Klein)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yves-klein

## Summary
Yves Klein was a 20th-century French visual artist active from 1928 to 1962, best known for his development of International Klein Blue and his membership in the Nouveau réalisme and Zero art movements. A multidisciplinary creator, he worked as a painter, sculptor, performance artist, and judoka, significantly influencing the trajectory of conceptual and abstract art.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 28, 1928
- **Nationality:** French
- **Known for:** Creation of International Klein Blue; membership in Nouveau réalisme and Zero groups; multidisciplinary art practice.
- **Field(s):** Visual arts, painting, sculpture, performance art, judo, jewelry design, composition.

## Contributions
- **International Klein Blue:** In 1960, Yves Klein created and mixed a deep blue pigment known as International Klein Blue, which became a signature element of his artistic output.
- **Artistic Movements:** He was a member of the artist group Zero, which was founded in 1957 or 1958, and Nouveau réalisme, an artist group and art movement founded in 1960.
- **Multidisciplinary Works:** Klein produced diverse works including "Wall of Fire" and "La Colle Loup tombe," while also practicing as a sculptor, draftsperson, and composer.

## FAQs
**What is International Klein Blue?**
International Klein Blue is a deep blue pigment first mixed by Yves Klein in 1960, which became central to his artistic identity.

**What art groups was Yves Klein associated with?**
Klein was a member of the Zero group, founded in the late 1950s, and Nouveau réalisme, a movement established in 1960.

**What were Yves Klein's occupations?**
Beyond being a visual artist and painter, Klein worked as a sculptor, judoka, draftsperson, performance artist, jewelry designer, and composer.

**When did Yves Klein live?**
Yves Klein was born in 1928 and died on June 6, 1962.

## Why They Matter
Yves Klein matters for his radical approach to art, which expanded the boundaries of painting and sculpture into the realms of performance and concept. His invention of International Klein Blue provided a new visual vocabulary for abstract art, emphasizing the immaterial and the sensory. As a connector between the European avant-garde movements Zero and Nouveau réalisme, he played a crucial role in the post-war art landscape. His integration of martial arts (judo) and monochrome painting challenged traditional distinctions between artistic practice and life, influencing future generations of conceptual and performance artists.

## Notable For
- **International Klein Blue:** Creation of the iconic deep blue pigment in 1960.
- **Nouveau réalisme:** Membership in the artist group founded in 1960.
- **Zero Group:** Membership in the artist group founded in 1957/1958.
- **Multidisciplinary Practice:** Recognized for work in painting, sculpture, performance art, jewelry design, and music composition.
- **Judo:** Active participation as a sportsperson in judo competitions.

## Body

### Identity and Nationality
Yves Klein was a French visual artist born in 1928. He held citizenship in France, a country located in Western Europe with significant global cultural influence. His life was relatively short, spanning from his birth in 1928 to his death on June 6, 1962. He is classified as a human and a unique member of the species Homo sapiens.

### Artistic Occupations and Fields
Klein's professional life was defined by a diverse range of occupations. He was primarily a visual artist and painter, but his practice extended into sculpture. He is also recognized as a draftsperson, performance artist, and jewelry designer. Uniquely, Klein was also a composer and a judoka, the latter indicating his active participation in martial arts competitions. His fields of work included the visual arts, painting, and sculpture, engaging with genres such as conceptual art, figurative art, and abstract art.

### Artistic Movements and Affiliations
Klein was a central figure in several key art movements. He was a member of the artist group Zero, which was founded in 1957 or 1958. This group was based in France, with its headquarters located in Paris. Additionally, Klein was a prominent member of Nouveau réalisme, an artist group and art movement that began in 1960. Through this affiliation, he is connected to other artists such as Jacques de la Villeglé, a French artist who was also a member of the group.

### Key Works and Concepts
One of Klein's most enduring contributions is the development of International Klein Blue. This deep blue pigment was first mixed by Klein in 1960 and serves as a hallmark of his artistic style. Documented works from his career include "Wall of Fire," a piece he was photographed with, and "La Colle Loup tombe." Another notable image depicts Klein standing in front of one of his canvases in 1962. A plaque honoring the artist is located at 14 rue Campagne-Première in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.

### Legacy and Documentation
Klein's legacy is preserved through extensive documentation and identifiers in academic and archival systems. His official website, https://www.yvesklein.com/, serves as a primary resource for his work. His influence is recorded across numerous library and authority archives, reflecting his status as a significant figure in 20th-century art. Despite his brief career, his impact on conceptual art and the use of color remains influential.

## References

1. Artnet
2. RKDartists
3. Union List of Artist Names. 2021
4. BnF authorities
5. Museum of Modern Art online collection
6. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/person/yves-klein-1928)
7. [Source](https://hedendaagsesieraden.nl/2023/12/24/say-hello-wave-goodbye/#)
8. [D 25](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/3014-yves-klein-d-25)
9. The Fine Art Archive
10. [Collectie Boijmans Online](https://www.boijmans.nl/en/collection/artworks/133650/untitled)
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. Japan Search
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. CiNii Research
15. MusicBrainz
16. Integrated Authority File
17. Yves Klein. RKDartists
18. Yves Klein. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
19. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
20. SNAC
21. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
22. Babelio
23. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
24. Le Delarge
25. Munzinger Personen
26. VcBA (identifier)
27. Frick Art Research Library Photoarchive
28. DACS register
29. NUKAT
30. National Library of Portugal
31. Catalogue of the Unione Romana Biblioteche Scientifiche
32. MAK
33. AGORHA
34. Klein, Yves
35. GeneaStar
36. Croatian Encyclopedia
37. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
38. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/film/klein.html)
39. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/sound/klein.html)
40. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/historical/klein/index.html)
41. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta_iii)
42. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/4_documenta)
43. Autoritats UB
44. BBC Things
45. Museum of Modern Art
46. Source
47. [Source](https://mijn.pictoright.nl/user/Content_LedenLijstDetails.cfm?Type=R&No=AD-06732)
48. [Petite Vénus Bleue. 1960](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12135/obj6003)
49. ADAGP directory
50. [Yves Klein](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/98116-yves-klein-yves-klein)