Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
The Op art movement emerged in the 1960s, mirroring the counterculture of the time in its embrace of visual trickery, graphic shapes and bright colors.
Spreading across Europe and the Americas, the style — whose name is short for “optical art” — influenced advertising, fashion and interior design before fading in the early ’70s.
Op art remained significant, however, for artists and scientists interested in the nature of perception. And today, it’s seeing a resurgence of interest from collectors and interior designers.
Op artists played with the principles of perception, manipulating line, shape, patterns and color to create the illusion of depth and movement. They drew on and evolved methods developed by past movements, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, to produce intense visual experiences.
All the Op artists shared a focus on the gap between what is and what we perceive. Each, however, had a distinct approach to the issue and a unique visual style.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Op art that includes works by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Jesús Rafael Soto and more.
1950s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Gouache, Mixed Media
1960s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Charcoal
1990s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Archival Paper, Permanent Marker
21st Century and Contemporary Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
1980s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Acrylic
1980s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Screen
Late 20th Century Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Ink, Watercolor
2010s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Birch, Wood Panel, Pen
2010s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Pen, Birch, Wood Panel
1970s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Acrylic
1970s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Color Pencil
2010s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Birch, Wood Panel, Pen
1990s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Ink, Archival Paper
2010s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Gesso, Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Ink, Archival Paper, Permanent Marker
21st Century and Contemporary Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Ink, Archival Paper, Permanent Marker
21st Century and Contemporary Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Ink, Archival Paper, Permanent Marker
1970s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Gouache, Color Pencil
Mid-20th Century Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Ink, Gouache, Screen, Graphite
Early 2000s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Charcoal
2010s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Screen
1960s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Screen, Pencil, Graphite
1960s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Gouache
2010s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Emulsion, Watercolor, Photographic Paper, C Print, Screen, Silver Gelatin
21st Century and Contemporary Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Archival Paper, Permanent Marker
1990s Op Art Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Graphite