Yves Klein's Anthropometries are a groundbreaking series in which he explored the human body's potential as both a painting tool and a source of artistic expression. Departing from traditional painting techniques, Klein utilized nude female models as "living paintbrushes" to create these works. The models were covered in International Klein Blue (IKB), his patented ultramarine pigment, and then asked to press, drag, or lay themselves across canvases to leave bodily impressions. This method was not only innovative but also deeply symbolic, merging human form with abstract expression.

Klein's fascination with the human form and its representation in art led him to create the Anthropometries during a time of significant innovation in his career. Inspired by the haunting images of body-shaped burn marks left on the earth after the atomic explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Klein sought to capture the human body's imprint in a manner that reflected both its beauty and its vulnerability. This inspiration is a testament to Klein's ability to draw from both personal and global contexts, imbuing his work with a depth that resonates on multiple levels​ (The Art Story)​.

Klein's approach to creating these pieces was performative and ceremonial. He orchestrated events where guests would watch as the models, transformed into human brushes, made their imprints on the canvas under his direction. These performances were accompanied by the Monotone Symphony, a composition by Klein that consisted of a single note played for twenty minutes, followed by twenty minutes of silence. The inclusion of this auditory element added a layer of sensory experience to the visual impact of the Anthropometries, emphasizing Klein's interest in synesthesia and the immersive quality of art​ (The Museum of Modern Art)​.

Beyond their innovative technique and performance aspect, the Anthropometries were also a reflection of Klein's philosophical and aesthetic interests. He was deeply influenced by his study of Eastern religions, judo (in which he earned a black belt), and his early experiences with friends and family. These influences informed his artistic vision and his quest to capture the "immeasurable existence of color" and the "void" - concepts that he explored throughout his career. Klein's Anthropometries, therefore, stand as a confluence of his diverse interests, offering a unique perspective on the human form, the role of the artist, and the nature of creation itself​ (The Art Story)​.

Klein's work in the Anthropometries series marks a significant moment in the history of art, where the act of painting transcends the mere application of pigment to canvas, becoming an event that engages both the creator and the observer in a shared experience of artistic creation and contemplation. Through these works, Klein challenged conventional notions of painting and sculpture, positioning the human body as a central element in the dialogue between material and immaterial, presence and absence, form and void.