Untitled Blue Plate (Assiette Bleue) - Yves Klein

A ceramic plate finished in International Klein Blue, representing the artist's exploration of pure colour and the void.

This work features a ceramic plate coated in International Klein Blue (IKB). Yves Klein developed this specific ultramarine pigment in collaboration with chemists to maintain the intensity of the colour without the dulling effect of traditional binders. By applying this pigment to a functional object, Klein removed the plate from its domestic context and transformed it into a vehicle for pure colour. Klein sought to liberate art from the constraints of representation. He believed that colour, in its purest state, possessed a spiritual quality that could transcend the physical world. The application of IKB to the surface of the plate creates a sense of depth, drawing the viewer into a field of saturated blue. The texture of the pigment remains visible, providing a tactile quality that contrasts with the flatness of the colour field. This piece is part of a series of objects Klein produced during the late 1950s. By using everyday items, he explored the boundaries between art and life. The plate functions as a physical manifestation of his philosophy, where the object itself becomes secondary to the sensory experience of the colour. The absence of brushstrokes or compositional elements forces the viewer to confront the colour directly. This approach was central to his exhibitions, where he often presented empty spaces or monochromatic surfaces to encourage a meditative state. The work remains a clear example of his pursuit of the void and his desire to capture the infinite through the medium of paint.