Christo and Jeanne-Claude were a couple of artists, who were known for their large-scale environmental installations. Together, they created some of the most iconic and visually striking public artworks of the 20th century.

Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, born in Bulgaria in 1935, and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, born in France in 1935, met in Paris in 1958 and began working together on art projects in the 1960s. They were known for their large-scale environmental installations, which they called "wrappings". These projects involved covering large structures or landscapes with fabric, and often required years of planning and negotiation to secure the necessary permits and funding.

One of their most famous projects was the "Wrapped Reichstag," which took place in Berlin in 1995. The couple covered the Reichstag building, the former seat of the German parliament, with a giant sheet of fabric. The project required more than 100,000 square meters of fabric and was financed entirely by the artists. The wrapping was on view for two weeks and attracted more than five million visitors.

Another famous project was "The Gates," which was installed in New York City's Central Park in 2005. The project consisted of 7,500 vinyl gates that were placed along 23 miles of footpaths throughout the park. Each gate was 16 feet tall and was topped with an orange-colored fabric panel that fluttered in the breeze. The project was on view for two weeks and attracted more than 4 million visitors.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude's projects were not only visually striking, but also sparked discussions about art, urban planning, and environmentalism. They often faced opposition from local authorities and environmental groups, but they persisted in their efforts to bring their projects to life.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2020 and 2021 respectively, but their work continues to be exhibited and celebrated around the world. Their projects have become iconic landmarks and their legacy continues to inspire other artists and the public.

In conclusion, Christo and Jeanne-Claude were a unique couple of artists who left a significant impact on the art world with their large-scale environmental installations. Their projects were not only visually striking, but also sparked discussions about art, urban planning, and environmentalism. Their legacy continues to inspire other artists and the public and their works are considered as iconic landmarks.

Photo: Wolfgang Volz

The Gates

Christo
The Thousand Gates (Project)
Drawing 1979
Pencil, charcoal, pastel and tape
11 x 14" (28 x 35.5 cm)
Photo: Eeva-Inkeri
© 1979 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 2005 Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 2005 Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 2005 Christo and Jeanne-Claude

The Floating Piers

Christo
The Floating Piers (Project for Lake Iseo, Italy)
Collage 2014
Pencil, wax crayon, enamel paint, photograph by Wolfgang Volz, map, fabric sample and tape
17 x 22" (43.2 x 55.9 cm)
Collection Ingrid and Thomas Jochheim, Germany
Photo: André Grossmann
© 2014 Christo

One by one, workers install the 100 by 16 meter sections to connect the island of San Paolo with the island of Monte Isola, May 2016
Photo: Wolfgang Volz

From the evening of June 15 to the evening of June 17, teams unfurl 100,000 square meters of shimmering dahlia-yellow fabric on the piers and pedestrian streets in Sulzano and Peschiera Maraglio
Photo: Wolfgang Volz

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Floating Piers, Lake Iseo, Italy, 2014-16
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 2016 Christo

Surrounded Islands

Christo
Surrounded Islands (Project for Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida)
Drawing 1982 in two parts
Pencil, charcoal, pastel, wax crayon, enamel paint, aerial photograph and fabric sample
15 x 96" and 42 x 96" (38 x 244 cm and 106.6 x 244 cm)
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1982 Christo
Ref. # 36

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida, 1980-83
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1983 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida, 1980-83
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1983 Christo

The Pont Neuf Wrapped

Christo
The Pont Neuf Wrapped (Project for Pont Neuf - Paris; Quai des Grandes Augustins, Quai du Louvre, Quai de la Megisserie and Quai de Conti)
Collage 1976
Pencil, fabric, twine, photograph by Wolfgang Volz, wax crayon, pastel, charcoal and map
22 x 28" (56 x 71 cm)
Collection Montrasio Arte, Monza, Italy
Photo: André Grossmann
© 1976 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1985 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1985 Christo

Running Fences

Christo
Running Fences (Project for the West Coast of USA)
Collage 1972
Pencil, charcoal, wax crayon, fabric and staples
22 x 28" (56 x 71 cm)
Private collecion
Photo: Archive
© 1972 Christo

Christo
Running Fence (Project for Marin and Sonoma Counties, State of California)
Drawing 1976 in two parts
Pencil, pastel, charcoal, wax crayon, topographic map, technical data, tape and ballpoint pen
15 x 96" and 42 x 96" (38 x 244 cm and 106.6 x 244 cm)
Photo: Eeva-Inkeri
© 1976 Christo
Ref. # 17

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Running Fence, Sonoma and Marin Counties, California, 1972-76
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1976 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Running Fence, Sonoma and Marin Counties, California, 1972-76
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1976 Christo

Valley Curtain

Christo
Valley Curtain (Project for Colorado)
Collage 1970
Pencil, charcoal, crayon, enamel paint, fabric and staples
28 x 22" (71 x 56 cm)
Private collection
Photo: Archive
© 1970 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Valley Curtain, Rifle, Colorado, 1970-72
Photo: Shunk-Kender
© 1972 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Valley Curtain, Rifle, Colorado, 1970-72
Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1972 Christo

Wrapped Kunsthalle

Christo
Kunsthalle Bern - Packed (Project for 50th Anniversary of the Kunsthalle Bern, Switzerland)
Drawing 1968
Pencil, way crayon and wash
40 x 60" (101.5 x 152.5 cm)
Photo: André Grossmann
© 1968 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Wrapped Kunsthalle, Bern, Switzerland, 1967-68
Photo: Carlo Bavagnoli
© 1968 Christo

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Wrapped Kunsthalle, Bern, Switzerland, 1967-68
Photo: Balthasar Burkhard
© 1968 Christo

L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped

In 1961, three years after they met in Paris, Christo and Jeanne-Claude began creating works of art in public spaces. One of their projects was to wrap a public building.

At the time, Christo, who was renting a small room near the Arc de Triomphe, made several studies for a project there, including, in 1962, a photomontage of the Arc de Triomphe wrapped, seen from the Avenue Foch. In the 1970s and 1980s, Christo created a few additional studies. Almost 60 years later, the project will finally be realized.

"Thirty-five years after Jeanne-Claude and I wrapped the Pont-Neuf, I am eager to work in Paris again to realize our project for the Arc de Triomphe," declares Christo.

However, and even more importantly, he will be back in the city where he met Jeanne-Claude. ‘Perhaps she is behind this, ’ Christo says with a winning smile. ‘Because, you know, as they say, “We will always have Paris.” ’

Jeanne-Claude on the Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 1962
Photo: Christo

Christo on the Quai de la Tournelle, Paris, 1962
Photo: Jeanne-Claude

Christo
Arc de Triumphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris)
Collage 1988
Pencil, fabric, twine, pastel, charcoal, wax crayon, map and Photostat
28 x 22" (71 x 56 cm)
Photo: André Grossmann
© 1988 Christo

Christo
The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, Wrapped (Place de Charles de Gaulle) Project
Collage 2017
Pencil, wax crayon, enamel paint, photograph by Wolfgang Volz, map and tape
14 x 11" (35.5 x 28 cm)
Photo: André Grossmann
© 2017 Christo

Christo
L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris) Place de l'Etoile - Charles de Gaulle
Collage 2019
Pencil, wax crayon, enamel paint, photograph by Wolfgang Volz and tape on brown board
11 x 8 1/2" (28 x 21.5 cm)
Photo: André Grossmann
© 2019 Christo

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