Today, the iconic monochrome paintings by artist Yves Klein (1928-1962) still hold enormous appeal worldwide. His intense blue monochromes in particular prove to be an appealing representation of infinity and are intended to reflect the immateriality of space. This unique formula, which combines ultramarine pigments with a new binder that preserves their intensity, was patented in 1960 as International Klein Blue (IKB) and became Yves Klein’s ultimate artistic signature. His paintings, sculptures, installations, conceptual and performance art can be found in museums around the world.
World-famous artist and his artistic family
Much less known is that his family members were also successful artists and established a lasting connection to the Netherlands. Yves’ parents, Fred Klein and Marie Raymond, were dual French and Dutch nationals. The family regularly visited the Netherlands. This year, for the first time in 60 years, 30 works by Yves Klein and 40 works by his family members are on display in the Netherlands.
Yves Klein and his artistic family: Fred, Marie and Rotraut tells the story of a world-famous artist, his artistic family and their connection with the Netherlands. Fred and Marie were influential artists in their day, with a passion for colour and the cosmos. Inspired by his parents, Yves developed his own radical visual language, in which colour, space and movement play a central role. His wife Rotraut shows in her work the same fascination for the universe as Yves Klein. This exhibition brings together for the first time the oeuvres of the Klein family.
A passion for colour and the cosmos
One family, four artists, each with their own unique painting style. Fred Klein (1898-1990) painted figuratively and colourfully, following in the footsteps of the French Impressionists, focusing on the atmosphere of moments from everyday life. Stedelijk Museum Schiedam has several works by Fred Klein in its collection.
Marie Raymond (1909-1988) was an influential painter and a central figure in the Parisian and Dutch art worlds. With her Parisian salons and publications, she builds a bridge between the French and Dutch art worlds. Her paintings are vibrant, energetic and colourful, consisting of shapes and colours arranged in abstract compositions.
Rotraut Uecker (1938) is also an exceptional artist. Her drawings, paintings and sculptures originate from forms and phenomena of nature and the cosmos. In 1958, she met Yves Klein, with whom she began an intensive collaboration. They married in 1962, shortly before his death.
Yves Klein was one of the major artists of the 20th century. This exhibition shows how his talent was nurtured and stimulated by the artistic contributions of his family.
Until 25 October 2026
stedelijkmuseumschiedam.nl