A French artist, born in Nice on 28 August 1928 and died in Paris on 6 June 1962. He was famous for abstract works and for happenings or performance art; and also especially for a particular intense shade of blue resembling ultramarine which in 1957 he patented as IKB or International Klein Blue.

He combined these amiable hobbies in what he called anthropometry, when live nude women dipped in IKB rolled around on canvas on the floor, while an orchestra played selections from his own music, and an appreciative audience watched.

Other works include the Winged Victory of Samothrace in blue, sponges in blue, a man holding flame in his hand, and works burned out on the canvas with fire.