Yves Klein – Fire Color, FC 17 (1962)

Louisiana poster with the work, Fire Color - fc 17 (1962), by the French artist, Yves Klein (1928-1962). Klein is one of the very big profiles in modern art—and represented in Louisiana's collection. Despite his untimely death at the age of 34, Klein became a leading figure in the movement, 'Nouveau réalisme', a pioneer of performance art and a role model for later artistic movements such as 'minimal art' and 'pop art'.

Fire Color - fc 17, which is the artwork for the poster here, is from Klein's last year of life. A few years before, Klein created one of his absolute masterpieces, which is in the museum's collection: Monopink, Monogold, Monoblue (1960): The three, equal-sized—almost—monochromatic paintings in pink, gold and blue, which are often hung as a triptych—one work in three parts—although they are actually three independent images.

Klein became famous for the blue color that has since borne his name: International Klein Blue. Klein tried to patent the binder in the color that allows it to appear with this diffuse infinity, both slightly dusty, intangible—and at the same time precise and strong.