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.
$1,290Sale Price|40% Off
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...
Canvas, Oil
$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
$90,090
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, Acrylic on Canvas, Op Art, Signed, 120 cm
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
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 10 in D 1 in
Africa Motifs 8 -21st Century Contemporary, Abstract Expressionism, Design
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Acrylic
$8,894
H 42.13 in W 42.13 in D 0.79 in
Geometry of Thought – Large Contemporary Abstract Library Painting, Oil on Canva
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Oil on canvas – 39.37 × 39.37 in (100 × 100 cm) Framed: approx. 42.13 × 42.13 in (107 × 107 cm) Frame options: natural wood or black collector's choice Year: 2025 – Signed front Cert...
Canvas, Oil
$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
$8,894
H 42.13 in W 42.13 in D 0.79 in
l'odre du temps- Large Abstract Library – Oil on canvas –Contemporary, French
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Oil on canvas – Sophie Dumont Dimensions: Unframed: 100 × 100 cm (39.4 × 39.4 in) Framed (floating frame, natural wood or black): 107 × 107 cm (42.1 × 42.1 in) Sophie Dumont is a Fr...
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
Sunset over the river - sunset landscape painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
The sunny summer painting with sunset is a beautiful wall decor, the painting is created en plein air, the artwork is full of different bright co...
Oil, Board
$1,088
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 0.12 in
Morning in the mountains - mountain landscape painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
The sunny summer painting with mountains is a beautiful wall decor, the painting is created en plein air, the artwork is full of different bright colours, combinations of warm and co...
Oil, Board
Green ribbon
By Olha Vlasova
Located in Zofingen, AG
A delicate contemporary painting inspired by fashion, femininity, and playful elegance. The artwork depicts an olive-green ribbon arranged in an oversized bow, set against a soft, li...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,000
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 0.6 in
Coral Reef Painting Underwater Textured Original Art
Located in Zofingen, AG
Coral Reef Painting Underwater Textured Original Art * Materials: oil, stretched canvas, mixed media * Shipping: gallery standards packaging, express shipping with tracking number. ...
Paste, Cotton 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
HG66 - Playful Chaos Hidden Garden, 2023
By Damien Hirst
Located in Manchester, GB
Damien Hirst, HG66 - Playful Chaos Hidden Gardens, 2023 Oil on canvas presented in a white, hand-painted wooden frame 62.3 x 45 cm (24.5 x 17.7 in) Original artwork Hand-Signed by D...
Canvas, Oil
$1,088
H 11.82 in W 13.78 in D 0.12 in
Sunny day in the mountains - mountains painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
The sunny summer painting with mountains is a beautiful wall decor, the painting is created en plein air, the artwork is full of different bright colours, combinations of warm and co...
Oil, Board
Sold
H 33 in W 40 in
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
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