About the workThis work is an early example from Piero Manzoni’s “Achrome” series, which had begun one year previously and continued until his premature death in 1963. After seeing the monochrome blue works by his friend, the French artist Yves Klein, the Italian artist responded with his completely colourless “Achromes”. Dipped in white clay and structured in a grid pattern, the canvas hardens into folds as it dries. In this way, the picture broadens the classical concept of painting. Furthermore, the artistic gesture recedes into the background.