Anthropometry (ANT) - Yves Klein

A striking example of Yves Klein's Anthropometry series, featuring the iconic International Klein Blue pigment applied via the human form.

The Anthropometry series represents a radical departure from traditional painting methods. Yves Klein, a central figure in the European avant-garde, moved away from the brush to engage directly with the human form. In these works, he utilised models coated in his signature International Klein Blue (IKB) pigment as living brushes. The resulting imprints capture the physical presence of the body against a stark, neutral background. Klein developed IKB in collaboration with a Parisian paint supplier, seeking a medium that preserved the intensity of the raw pigment. By applying this colour to the skin of his models, he transferred the energy of the performance onto the surface. The process was often conducted before an audience, accompanied by his Monotone Symphony, which consisted of a single sustained chord followed by silence. This approach shifted the focus from the finished object to the act of creation itself. The figures in these works appear suspended in space, lacking traditional depth or perspective. The blue pigment creates a high-contrast visual experience, drawing the eye to the gestural marks left by the movement of the models. These prints capture the raw, immediate nature of the original performances, offering a clear view of the texture and application of the paint. By removing the artist's hand from the direct application of pigment, Klein explored the relationship between the body, the mark, and the void. This series remains a primary example of his interest in immateriality and the capture of physical energy within a two-dimensional space.