Blue has a value like no other colour. At one point, more valuable than gold, the colour Blue only existed as one mineral – lapis lazuli. It is the rarest colour in the natural world. Animals and plants that may look Blue are actually devoid of the colour – they refract light in a wavelength that gives the impression of Blue. On the spectrum Blue lies between a wavelength of 450 and 495 nanometers.

The Egyptians mined lapis lazuli and used it on their highly decorative and unique ornaments. The mineral was, for centuries, used by artists as their only source of Blue on their palette. It was expensive and so used sparingly.

Although a cold colour Blue can seem warm. It is said to be the favourite colour of all people. In colour psychology Blue reflects trust, responsibility, understanding, creativity and wisdom. Therefore it’s hardly surprising that so many businesses and organisations use it on logos and corporate identity.

Scientists have since discovered how to produce synthetic Blue – making artists paint much cheaper! One artist who took Blue to a new level was Yves Klein during the 1950’s and 60’s. He used its spiritual, mystical and timeless qualities to produce monochromatic paintings containing little more than the colour Blue – he took it one step further by working with chemists to produce his own patented shade of Blue – International Klein Blue; IKB.

To look at one of his monochromatic Blue IKB paintings is like staring into an indiscernible distant space. There’s nothing to focus ones’ eyes on. There is just an infinite void which gives a calmness of the mind.