Editions Du Griffon
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1980s Swiss Kinetic Books
Paper
People Also Browsed
1980s Op Art Abstract Prints
Lithograph
Vintage 1980s Art Nouveau Books
Paper
20th Century American Books
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Slovenian Books
Paper
20th Century American Books
Paper
1970s Op Art Abstract Prints
Paper, Screen
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Paper
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Books
Paper
1970s Op Art Abstract Prints
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
1960s Abstract Geometric Abstract Prints
Lithograph
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Wood
Antique 1870s English Aesthetic Movement Books
Paper
20th Century English Books
Paper
1980s Op Art Abstract Prints
Paper, Screen
1960s Op Art Abstract Prints
Screen
20th Century French Post-Modern Prints
Paper, Glass
Recent Sales
20th Century Swiss Modern Prints
Glass, Plastic, Paper
Vintage 1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1970s Swiss Prints
Paper
Vintage 1970s French Post-Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Prints
Maple, Paper
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper, Plastic
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Books
Paper
Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Art
Glass
Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Art
Glass
Vintage 1960s French Modern Prints
Parchment Paper
Late 20th Century Swiss Books
Paper
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper, Glass, Plastic, Maple
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Prints
Glass, Plastic, Maple, Paper
Vintage 1970s French Books
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Prints
Victor Vasarely for sale on 1stDibs
Widely considered the grandfather of Op art, the French-Hungarian painter Victor Vasarely (1906–97) created eye-popping geometric abstractions that play with the viewer’s perception of depth, perspective and motion. A classic example is the 1937 Zebra, which consists of undulating black and white stripes that suggest the form of the titular animal through optical trickery. The work is often credited as the earliest Op art painting.
Such illusions were more than pleasing tricks for Vasarely, who insisted that “pure form and pure color can signify the world.” He wanted to “democratize” art by producing works in large editions at reasonable prices that were understandable across national and cultural boundaries. In the 1960s, he developed an alphabet plastique, or fine art alphabet, consisting of elementary visual building blocks that could be used in endless combinations to create original compositions. By employing this universal visual vocabulary and stripping away topical references, he sought to create what he called a “Planetary Folklore.”
Embodying Vasarely’s singular belief that art should serve a social function, accessible to all, these innovations may perhaps be his greatest contribution to 20th-century art.
Find a collection of Victor Vasarely prints, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.