100 years after the creation of Pompon’s Bear
60 years since Yves Klein’s passing
30 years since the last Yves Klein edition
Artémus Editions présents Pompon Bear, Yves Klein Edition.
1961 ©Gilles Raysse ©Succession Yves Klein c/o ADAGP Paris
Monochrome bleu sans titre (IKB 100), 1956
Yves Klein searched tirelessly after the essence of art, in hopes of revealing its fundamental immateriality. In sculpture, he found a liberating medium through which monochrome art could permeate space in three dimensions. In 1962, the year of his death, Yves Klein recreated universally adored masterpieces in his signature IKB: the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Michelangelo’s Dying Slave. These were embodied objects, with an undeniable presence.
These sculptures were published from 1982 to 1992, and are now eagerly disputed by collectors around the world. In 2022, for the 60th anniversary of the artist’s death, Artémus Éditions, an art publisher with a passion for Klein’s work, proposed to the Yves Klein Foundation that the famous International Klein Blue (IKB) be affixed to an equally iconic sculpture. His choice is “The Polar Bear”, a masterpiece by François Pompon, presented just 100 years ago at the 1922 Salon d’Automne.
One captured the essence of form, the other the essence of color and beyond, the essence of art. The coherence of the proposal unites the rightful owners around this edition to create a work that is consistent with the heritage of both artists. The high standards of the foundations in charge of the artists’ image will guide the entire production of the edition to achieve a museal quality.
“One captured the essence of form, the other the essence of color – together, they capture the essence of art.”
Fondation Yves Klein
Careful in material and form, faithful to the spirit of the creator, this edition is produced with the agreement of the owners of the works and is also subject to the approval of the rightful owners or their representatives with all the requirement and respect of the artists’ creations.
Made in resin from an original mold of François Pompon’s white bear, the 40 cm long sculpture is coated with the IKB blue patented by Yves Klein.
Numbered and limited edition of 999 copies for a worldwide distribution.
Each work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity with an individual number certified by the publisher’s seal and signed by the representatives of the rights holders of both artists.
