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.
$32,000Sale Price|20% Off
Double Focus II Mid-Century OpArt Abstract Geometric painting, Cleveland school
Located in Beachwood, OH
Julian Stanczak (American, 1928-2017) Double Focus II, 1963 acrylic on canvas signed and dated verso 33 x 40 inches Julian Stanczak (American, b. November 5, 1928) was an American ...
Acrylic
$27,200Sale Price|20% Off
Twist & the Rain Mid-Century OpArt Geometric Painting by Cleveland School artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
Julian Stanczak (American, 1928-2017) Twist and the Rain, 1975 acrylic on canvas signed verso 30 x 24 inches Julian Stanczak (American, b. November 5, 1928) was an American painter...
Acrylic
Geometric Abstract Original Oil on Canvas 1980s
Located in Soquel, CA
Geometric Abstract Original Oil on Canvas 1980s This unknown artist expertly explores the tension between bold physical presence and quiet, open space. Dominated by deep, matte black...
Oil, Canvas
$90,306
Patrick Hughes - Walls Have Ears, optical art, reverspective, op art, illusion
Located in London, GB
Patrick Hughes (b.1939) Walls have ears 2020 oil on board construction 66.5 x 80.5 x 16 cm Price: £66,000 GBP (inc. 20% UK VAT) Provenance: Direct from the artist's studio Notes: ...
Oil, Board
Epicentrum Quantinum U/G/W
Located in OPOLE, PL
Jaremi Picz (1955) - Epicentrum Quantinum U/G/W Acrylic on canvas from 2024. The work is enhanced with UV paint. Dimensions of work: 120 x 120 cm. Hand signed and titled on the ba...
Acrylic
$7,250
H 46 in W 30 in D 2 in
"Dancing with" Abstract Acrylic on Linen Painting 46" x 30" inch by Hossam Dirar
By Hossam Dirar
Located in Culver City, CA
"Dancing with" Abstract Acrylic on Linen Painting 46" x 30" inch by Hossam Dirar "Dancing with" (2016) by Hossam Dirar 46” x 30” Mixed media on linen canvas CHAOS This project i...
Canvas, Oil, Linen
$695
H 24 in W 16 in D 2 in
Alfred Statler Signed Vintage American Modernist Circus Trapeze Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist circus interior oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Measuring: 24 by 16 inches overall. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enjoy.
Oil, Canvas
Rhapsody in Yellow - oil on canvas - abstract
Located in Burlingame, CA
Color is always central in Henriques' delightful compositions that are at once, balanced, harmonious, and a toast to life. 'Rhapsody in Yellow' with its bright and pure hues shimmer...
Canvas, Oil
$595
H 14 in W 16 in D 2 in
Antique Italian Lake Como "La Romantica" Framed Impressionist Landscape Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Italian oil painting. Oil on board. Framed. Measuring: 14 by 16 inches overall, and 12 by 14 painting alone. Unsigned. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enjoy.
Oil, Board
$500
H 14.97 in W 19.69 in D 0.4 in
Pink Solitude in Abstract, Mixed Media Painting on Canvas, 38x50 cm
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
"Pink Solitude in Abstract" is an abstract painting distinguished by its texture and interwoven layers of color. Pink tones predominate, complemented by flashes of blue, red, and gre...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Moonscape I
By Marina Stern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This work is part of our exhibition Marina Stern Luminary, the first retrospective of the artist since 2007. Marina Stern was a multifaceted New York-based artist whose works ranged...
Canvas, Oil
Composition
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed by the artist, lower left. This expressive painting by Erald Alentar is characterized by a dense, tactile surface and a rich, earthy palette dominated by deep greens, browns,...
Canvas, Oil
Elément perpétuel
Located in PARIS, FR
A vibrant and rhythmic abstract painting composed of a dense network of gestural black lines interwoven with blocks of vivid red, pink, and muted greys. The composition recalls an ur...
Canvas, Oil
$14,164
H 50.01 in W 50.01 in D 1.38 in
Metaphor of Thought- Large Abstract Library, Contemporary, French art 50x50 in
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Sophie Dumont – Metaphor of Thought (métaphore de la pensée) Unframed: 120 × 120 cm (47.2 × 47.2 in) Framed (natural wood floating frame): 127 × 127 cm (50 × 50 in) Natural wood or ...
Canvas, Oil
$600
H 9.85 in W 11.82 in
Breathtaking Rainier Mountain Panoramic Landscape. Original Oil Painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
Mountains are not just an impressive sight; they are also a test of your patience and your readiness to overcome the challenges of the climb to reach your goal. The journey will not ...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
$975
H 21 in W 25 in D 2 in
Nicely Framed Vintage American Modernist Surreal Abstract Rare Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist abstract oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Measuring: 21 by 25 inches overall, and 16 by 20 painting alone.. In excellent original condition. Handsomel...
Canvas, Oil
L'Aube menacée
Located in PARIS, FR
powerful abstract composition defined by a restrained, almost monochromatic palette of blacks, greys, and subtle earthy tones. The surface is richly worked, with sweeping gestures an...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 37 in W 23 in
Large Storm Op-Art Geometric Oil Painting on Board 'Cibotium' 1972
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning Op-Art geometric oil on board by Larue Storm. Original stainless steel frame
Paint, Board
The Long Hallway
Located in Buffalo, NY
A fantastic Op Art oil on canvas painting. This unsigned mystery has fantastic color and depth.
Canvas, Oil
Ladronzuelos y Ladroncielos
Located in Long Island City, NY
An acrylic painting by Pedro Friedeberg circa 1990. A optical abstract painting of a surrealist interior. Artist: Pedro Friedeberg, Mexican (1936 - ) Year: circa 1990 Title: La...
Acrylic, Board