Frits Klein, father of Yves Klein, spent his childhood in Holland and moved to Paris in 1920. There he studied at the André Lhote Academy, and at some other of the many painting academies in this city. In 1925 Klein went to Cagnes sur Mer in the South of France for six years. He married Marie Raymond there and in 1928 son Yves was born. Frits Klein painted and drew landscapes, circus scenes, beach scenes, flowers and performances with horses in cheerful colours, bathing in an unnatural light. He also made theater sets and designed costumes for the Amsterdam opera.