Christie's auction house sold the largest monochrome painting by French avant-garde artist Yves Klein, California (IKB 71), created in 1961, for 18.4 million euros (approximately 36 million 308 thousand manats).

Axar.az reports that this amount is considered a new record in the history of auctions for Klein's works.

The painting, measuring approximately 4x2 meters, is covered with small pebbles, which creates a textured effect reminiscent of the seabed hidden under a deep blue color. The work is painted in a special "International Klein Blue" (IKB) ultramarine tone patented by the artist.

"California" was created shortly before the artist's first and last trip to the United States. During that trip, he presented his works in New York and Los Angeles.

It should be noted that in 2013, Klein's sculpture of blue-painted sponges was sold at Sotheby's auction house for $22 million, setting a record sale price for the artist at that time.