Op Art Paintings
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.
Mid-20th Century Op Art Paintings
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Gouache
1970s Op Art Paintings
Gouache, Pencil
1980s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Op Art Paintings
Lithograph
Late 20th Century Op Art Paintings
Gouache, Illustration Board, Cardboard
1970s Op Art Paintings
Metal, Enamel
2010s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic, Archival Paper
2010s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic, Paper
1960s Op Art Paintings
Charcoal
1970s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Wood, Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Oil
2010s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic, Paper
2010s Op Art Paintings
Resin, Spray Paint, Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Oil, Tempera, Cardboard
2010s Op Art Paintings
Oil, Board
Late 20th Century Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic, Paper
2010s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic, Paper, India Ink
1990s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
1970s Op Art Paintings
Wood, Acrylic
2010s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
1950s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Op Art Paintings
Oil, Acrylic, Paper
2010s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Op Art Paintings
Spray Paint, Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Wood, Acrylic
1970s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1950s Op Art Paintings
Masonite, Oil
1960s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
1960s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1960s Op Art Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Canvas
20th Century Op Art Paintings
Mixed Media
1960s Op Art Paintings
Metal
2010s Op Art Paintings
Paper, Acrylic, Board
1960s Op Art Paintings
Oil, Board
1970s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Op Art Paintings
Acrylic, Paper, Oil Crayon
2010s Op Art Paintings
Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor
1960s Op Art Paintings
Plexiglass, Paper
1980s Op Art Paintings
Lucite, Plexiglass, Spray Paint
1980s Op Art Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1980s Op Art Paintings
Gesso, Silk, Masonite, Ink, Acrylic