Timeline

1928

Born: Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France

1942 - 1946

Studied at Ecole Nationale de la Marine Marchande, and Ecole Nationale des Langues Orientales, France

1949

Composed "The Monotone-Silence Symphony" that consisted of a single 20-minute sustained chord followed by a 20-minute silence: influenced the development of Minimalism

1955

Moved to Paris

1957

Beginning of the artist's "Blue Period", or "Epoque bleue"

1959

He sells his first 'zones de sensibilite picturale immatrielle' at the prix of 20 grams of fine gold: the buyer received a certificate of property conceived and signed by Yves Klein. The gold powder was then thrown in the air and the buyer had to destroy his receipt. This transaction which seemed far from an artistic preoccupation consisted of the sensibility of the 'acquirer' to the idea of the first : the immaterial sensibility of emptiness.

1960

Founded the "Nouveau Realisme" group in Klein's apartment; founding members were Arman, Francois Dufrene, Raymond Hains, Yves Klein, Martial Raysse, Daniel Spoerri, Jean Tinguely , Jacques Villegle, with Niki de Saint-Phalle, Christo and Duchamp joining later
The artist trademarked the blue that he uses under the name 'International Klein Blue' (IKB)

1962

Died: Cannes, France