“ Blue is the only colour which keeps its own individuality across the spectrum. Take blue with its different nuances, from the darkest to the lightest; it will always be blue, whereas yellow darkens in shadow and fades out in lighter parts, dark red becomes brown and when diluted with white, it isn’t red any more, but another colour: pink. ”
R aoul D ufy
Each year, Opera Gallery Monaco presents an exhibition of exceptional artworks showcasing a selection of Modern to Contemporary masterpieces. Illuminating the creative continuum between the technique and ideology of the 20 th century to contemporary artistic practices, Shades of Blue presents works whose contributions transformed the cultural landscape of their time, and whose influence continues to express itself today.
Specifically, Shades of Blue traces the way in the colour blue has manifested in painting, sculpture and multimedia artworks. The link between humans and lapis lazuli traces back more than 6,500 years. Valued for its exquisite colour and rare appearance in nature, the popularity of the vivid blue gemstone inspired jewellers and sculptors to use it throughout Antiquity. In the Renaissance, ultramarine pigment made from ground lapis lazuli was the most striking and expensive colourant available, and was often used in the robes of Angels or the Virgin Mary depicted in paintings. Years later, in 1907, Matisse’s Blue Nude used the colour to cut directly in sheets of paper painted with blue gouache, while Wassily Kandinsky famously championed the emotional significance of the colour, believing that the deeper the shade, the more spiritually it awakened a desire for the eternal.
In the mid - 20 th century, Yves Klein’s single colour canvases signified the beginning of a new shade of blue, trademarked by the artist in 1957 as International Klein Blue. The pigment became the foundation for 200 monochrome canvases and countless sculptures and performances.
Alongside its art historical threads, the psychological effects of the colour blue appear to be universal. Its existence in natural expanses such as the sky or the ocean help to liberate thought, generating an atmosphere with both emotional depth and cooling properties. Blue is the colour of the mind.
It is with these properties in mind that, in light of devastating global tragedies and refugee crises, we wish to impart a semblance of temporary calm. We are proud to partner with Monaco-based charity organisation Mission Enfance on the exhibition, whose action and dedication in the field of educational assistance for children in need has provided thousands of children worldwide with the education they deserve. To express our own support for this momentous cause, a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the organisation.

Opening: Thursday, July 12, 2016, 18:30 - 20:30
by invitation only

mpefm MONTECARLO/MONACO art press release