Yves Klein

Lucio Fontana, Milan (acquired directly from the artist in the early 1960's)
Thence by descent to the Fondazione Lucio Fontana, Milan
Sale: Sotheby's, London, Contemporary Art, 29 June 2000, Lot 23
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Milan, Galleria Blu, Yves Klein, Le Monochrome,  n.p., 1969, no. 25
Brescia, Studio C Arte Moderna, Klein - Manzoni, 1970, n.p., illustrated in colour
Fort Worth, Modern Art Museum, Declaring Space: Lucio Fontana, Yves Klein, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, 2007-08, p. 126, illustrated in colour

Paul Wember, Yves Klein, Cologne 1969, p. 79, illustrated
Bruno Cora, Yves Klein and Gilbert Perlein, Yves Klein, La vita, la vita stessa che é l'arte assoluta, Paris 2000, p. vii, illustrated in colour
Pierre Descargues, Yves Klein, Ides et Calendes,  Neuchâtel 2003, p. 113, illustrated in colour
François Perrin, Yves Klein: Architecture de l'Air,  Paris 2010, illustrated

The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate although the illustration fails to convey fully the concave shape of the panel and the three-dimensional and reflective quality of the gold leaf. This work is in very good condition. Close inspection reveals minute pin-sized losses towards the side and bottom edges, which are visible in the catalogue illustration and inherent to the artist's choice of medium.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Monogold 42 is a stunning example of one of Yves Klein's greatest series, which he executed between 1959 and 1961, as an immaterial variation to his Monochromes. In the present work the gold leaves seems to flutter on the surface and recall the astonishing gestures of sowing gold, which  Klein enacted in the performances along the Seine during thevente-cessions de zone de sensibilité picturale immatérielle.  As described by Kynaston McShine "the ephemeral and precious qualities of gold leaf intrigued Klein and his early Monogolds were resplendent objects...squares of gold leaf attached to the whole surface fluttered at the slightest movement and were dazzling and hypnotic. Here was gold, demonstrating an impermanent and evanescent beauty that was compelling and eventually to be part of the 'immaterial'" (Exhibition Catalogue, New York, The Jewish Museum, Yves Klein, 1967, p. 8).

Dedicated to Fontana on the reverse, MG 42 testifies the special relationship and artistic osmosis between the two artists. In 1957 Yves Klein exhibited his Monochromes at Galleria Apollinaire in Milan and on this occasion Klein met and became friends with Lucio Fontana who bought a blue Monochrome exhibited in the show. Both Fontana, and Klein were two of the most significant voices of artistic groups such as Nouveau Realism, Spatialism and Zero, and renovated the aesthetic and conceptual canons in the realm of Post Second-World-War.