Christie’s has secured a monumental Yves Klein painting, *California (IKB 71)*, for its October 23 sale in Paris. Measuring 14 feet wide, it is the largest format the artist ever made in his signature International Klein Blue (IKB) and carries an estimate of €16–25 million ($18–29 million). The work was created in 1961 and has a newly uncovered provenance: after being shown in Los Angeles at Virginia Dwan’s gallery, it stopped in New York for an exhibition with dealer Leo Castelli before returning to Paris. It has been in a New York collection since 2005 and was on long-term loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 2005 to 2008.
This sale matters because it represents a rare opportunity for a museum-quality Klein of exceptional scale and historical significance. The painting’s rediscovered journey—linking Paris, New York, and California—adds to its narrative and market appeal. Christie’s hopes the work will go to an institution, reflecting the current market’s appetite for blue-chip, trophy artworks with impeccable provenance. The consignment also underscores the enduring value of Yves Klein’s legacy, especially as his works continue to command top prices.