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.
Price Upon Request
Electric Tulip II
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Lowell Blair Nesbitt, American (1933 - 1993) Title: Electric Tulip II Year: 1980 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed and dated verso Size: 84 x 60 in....
Oil
Price Upon Request
Struttura
Located in New York, NY
This hand painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...
Ink, Acrylic, Cardboard
Price Upon Request
Superficie Rossa
Located in New York, NY
This piece is delicately hand painted with a pen over cardboard. With his unique style and technique, Roberto transfers movement to his art works, making his individual lines connect...
Ink, Acrylic, Cardboard
Price Upon Request
Bianco Nero
Located in New York, NY
This piece is delicately hand painted with a pen over cardboard. With his unique style and technique, Roberto transfers movement to his art works, making his individual lines connect...
Ink, Acrylic, Cardboard
Price Upon Request
Lacerazioni
Located in New York, NY
This piece is delicately hand painted with a pen over cardboard. With his unique style and technique, Roberto transfers movement to his art works, making his individual lines connect...
Cardboard, Ballpoint Pen
Price Upon Request
Light Magenta Square
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Richard Anuszkiewicz Title: Light Magenta Square Year: 1978 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed and dated verso Size: 60 x 60 inches Referenced as 1978.9, pg 184 in "Anuszkiew...
Canvas, Acrylic
Thunder, Abstract OP Art Oil Painting on Canvas by Tony Bechara
By Tony Bechara
Located in Long Island City, NY
An abstract painting by Tony Bechara from 1984. An abstract, optical painting representative of Bechara's conceptual principles of color usage, organization and randomness. Artist...
Canvas, Oil