Yves Klein (; 28 April 1928 – 6 June 1962) was a
French artist considered an important figure in post-war European art. He is the leading member of the French artistic movement of
Nouveau réalisme founded in 1960 by art critic
Pierre Restany. Klein was a pioneer in the development of
performance art, and is seen as an inspiration to, and as a forerunner of,
Minimal art, as well as
Pop art.